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Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet

Manufactured byZydus Cadila
ContainsCefalexin
Description
Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet is an antibiotic. It is used orally to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of your body like skin, bone, ears, throat, lungs and urinary tract. It kills or stops the growth of bacteria causing the infection. Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet is not effective against infections caused by viruses. Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet shows some common side effects like diarrhoea, stomach pain, headache, weakness, nausea, and vomiting. These are generally mild. Inform your doctor if the side effects become severe or persist for a long time. If you are allergic to this medication or penicillin antibiotics, do not take it. Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet can be taken with or without food. Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The dose will vary depending on the condition you are being treated for, but you should always finish the entire course of antibiotics as advised by your doctor. Even if you feel better, do not stop taking the medicine until you have finished the course. If you discontinue it too soon, some bacteria may survive and the infection may reoccur. Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet can be used in adults and children over the age of one year. If you have any medical conditions of the kidney, liver or heart, you should consult your doctor before taking Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet. You should also inform your doctor about any other medications you are taking since they may interact with or be impacted by this medication. If you are pregnant or are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using this medication.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet

  • Diarrhoea
  • Stomach pain
  • Dark or clay coloured stools
  • Indigestion
  • Itching or rash
  • Joint pain
  • Dark urine
  • Loss of appetite
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Nausea and Vomiting

Uses of Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet

What is it prescribed for?

  • Acute bacterial otitis media
  • Pharyngitis/Tonsilitis
  • Cystitis
  • Skin and soft tissue infections
  • Osteomyelitis
  • Pyelonephritis
Read More
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • How long does it take for this medicine to take effect?
    The effect of Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet is very quick and can be observed within an hour of taking the tablet orally. However, you may need to take this medicine for up to 48 hours to observe an improvement in your symptoms.
  • How long do the effects of this medicine last?
    The effect of the Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet lasts for around 2 days.
  • Is it safe to consume alcohol while taking this medicine?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is this a habit forming medicine?
    No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet.
  • Can this medicine be taken during pregnancy?
    Although Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet is considered to be safe to use during pregnancy as it does not cause any harm to the foetus. You should always consult your doctor before taking it.
  • Can this medicine be taken while breast-feeding?
    Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet enters into breast milk at low levels. Hence, you should only take it after consulting a doctor. If you are taking Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet, you should observe your baby for symptoms such as diarrhoea and stomach infection.

Allergy

Avoid taking Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulties, etc.

Acute Porphyria

Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet is contraindicated in acute porphyria. It is a disorder caused by the accumulation of certain chemicals associated with red blood cell proteins. It affects your skin and nervous system.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Although Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet is considered to be safe to use during pregnancy as it does not cause any harm to the foetus. You should always consult your doctor before taking it.

Breast-feeding

Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet enters into breast milk at low levels. Hence, you should only take it after consulting a doctor. If you are taking Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet, you should observe your baby for symptoms such as diarrhoea and stomach infection.
General warnings

Diarrhoea

Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet can cause diarrhoea because it might destroy helpful bacteria in your stomach or intestine. If you have severe diarrhoea that is watery or bloody, get emergency medical attention. Call your pharmacist/doctor before taking anti-diarrhoeal medication.

Impaired liver function

Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet may increase liver enzyme levels and cause swelling of the liver. If you have liver disease, use this medication with caution since it may worsen your condition and cause liver damage. The dose should be adjusted based on your clinical condition.

Antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change their response to the use of medicines and become resistant. This occurs due to the long term use of antibiotics. Consult your doctor if you still feel unwell after completing your Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet course.

Driving or operating machinery

Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet may affect your driving ability as it can lead to dizziness and drowsiness. After taking this medication, it is advised that you do not perform activities that require high mental alertness such as driving vehicles or operating machines.

Multivitamins with minerals

Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet and multivitamins that contain minerals should not be taken orally at the same time. Zinc containing products may interfere with the absorption of Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet into your blood circulation and may reduce its effectiveness. Keep a gap of at least three hours between the two medicines.

Missed Dose

If you forget to take a dose of Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet, make sure that you remember to take your next dose when it is due. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

Overdose

Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you might have taken an overdose of Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet, go to the emergency department of your local hospital.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Ethinyl Estradiol

Cholera Vaccine

Furosemide

Warfarin

Disease interactions

Colitis

Colitis is swelling in the lining of the colon (part of the large intestine). Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet can kill the helpful bacteria in your stomach or intestine and may lead to diarrhoea. Therefore, use Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet with extreme caution if you have gastrointestinal (disorders of the digestive system) diseases, particularly colitis, as it may worsen your condition.

Seizure disorders

A seizure is a brain disorder that occurs due to sudden neurological disturbances which result in behavioural changes and uncontrollable jerking of the body. Use Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet with caution if you have seizures (fits) because it can trigger the condition. Do not stop taking your seizure medicines. Your doctor will adjust the dose of Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet dosage as required.

Kidney Disease

Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet is filtered by the kidney and moved out of the body through urine. Take Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet with caution if you have kidney problems. This medicine may lead to kidney damage and can worsen your condition. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor based on your clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet with or without food. Never take more than the prescribed dose. Do not give your medicine to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours. Diarrhoea may occur as a side effect of this medicine. Contact your doctor if it does not stop or if you find blood in your stools.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works
Cephalexin 250 MG Tablet works by preventing the formation of bacterial cell walls. This helps in stopping the growth and multiplication of the microorganism, eventually killing it.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

First generation Cephalosporins, Antibiotics

Schedule

Schedule H

Drugs, H., 2021. Cephalexin: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 11 February 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682733.html>

India-pharma.gsk.com. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 11 February 2021].

https://india-pharma.gsk.com/media/701321/phexin-oral-formulations.pdf>

DailyMed - CEPHALEXIN capsuleCEPHALEXIN powder, for suspensionCEPHALEXIN tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2020 [cited 31 January 2020]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=19307ff0-71de-477b-965d-ea243e5ede3a

Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Cefalexin Tablets BP 250mg - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 11 February 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/3996>

Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Cefalexin 500mg Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 11 August 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/9143/smpc#gref>
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Information on this page was last updated on 19 Oct 2021

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