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Key takeaways
Cephalexin is an antibiotic that treats a wide range of infections, but it may not suit everyone, depending on the nature of the infection, potential side effects, or preexisting medical conditions.
Alternative antibiotics include Augmentin, Bactrim, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, and amoxicillin, each tailored for specific infections and patient needs.
Due to the potential for serious side effects, your healthcare provider should carefully prescribe cephalexin and its alternatives, monitoring for side effects.
Cephalexin is a broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic commonly used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections, including skin infections, respiratory tract infections, ear infections, and others. Like many antibiotics, it can have intolerable or even hazardous side effects, including allergic reactions. When there’s a problem, clinicians have a variety of other antibiotics they can use.
RELATED: Common antibiotics & coupons
What can I take in place of cephalexin?
Not all medications work for everyone. Luckily, there are several different antibiotic options available to treat bacterial infections if cephalexin does not prove effective or if unwanted side effects occur. Antibiotics, however, are not perfectly interchangeable. Some are more appropriate for certain types of infections than others. Preexisting medical conditions, including allergies, may also limit a healthcare provider’s antibiotic choices.
Cephalexin alternatives cost comparison |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Cephalexin | $45 per 28, 500 mg capsules of generic cephalexin | $9 per 28, 500 mg capsules of generic cephalexin at Walmart | See latest prices |
| Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanic acid) | $768 per 1, 125–31.25 mg/5 mL, 100 mL bottle | $11 per 20, 875–125 mg tablets of generic Augmentin at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Amoxicillin | $19 per 21, 500 mg capsules of generic amoxicillin | $3 per 21, 500 mg capsules of generic amoxicillin at Walmart | See latest prices |
| Bactrim DS (sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim) | $49 per 14, 800–160 mg tablets | $3 per 14, 800–160 mg tablets of generic Bactrim DS at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Ciprofloxacin | $62 per 14, 500 mg tablets of generic ciprofloxacin | $8 per 14, 500 mg tablets of generic ciprofloxacin at Walmart | See latest prices |
| Doxycycline | $98 for 14, 100 mg capsules of generic doxycycline | $8 for 14, 100 mg capsules of generic doxycycline at Walmart | See latest prices |
| Erythromycin | $126 per 6, 500 mg tablets of generic erythromycin | $26 per 6, 500 mg tablets of generic erythromycin at CVS Pharmacy | See latest prices |
Top 5 cephalexin alternatives
The following are some of the most common alternatives to cephalexin.
1. Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate)
Augmentin is a combination antibiotic that includes amoxicillin (a penicillin antibiotic) and clavulanate potassium (a beta-lactamase inhibitor). It is safe for use in adults and children, including infants and newborns. However, people with a penicillin allergy cannot safely take amoxicillin. Augmentin is capable of treating a variety of bacterial infections, such as Streptococcus (Strep) or Staphylococcus (Staph) aureus infections of the skin, ears, respiratory tract, and urinary tract.
Common Augmentin side effects include diarrhea, nausea, rash, itching, vomiting, and vaginitis (irritation of the vagina or vulva). People with a history of liver problems while taking Augmentin or allergic reactions to Augmentin, any of its ingredients, or similar drugs should avoid using Augmentin.
Augmentin can also make birth control less effective, so an alternative for birth control will need to be discussed with your healthcare provider.
2. Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim)
Bactrim is a brand-name sulfonamide antibiotic that contains sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, but it is available as a generic medication. It is approved for use in adults and children as young as 2 months old. Doses are administered as a tablet, oral suspension, or injection. Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim can treat a variety of conditions, such as ear infections, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, traveler’s diarrhea, bronchitis flare-ups, and urinary tract infections.
The most common side effects are digestive system complaints, like nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss, and allergic reactions, such as skin rash or hives. Allergies are a serious issue. People who have had an allergic reaction to sulfa drugs can’t take Bactrim. Anyone who has an allergic reaction while taking the drug should stop taking doses and contact the prescriber.
Bactrim can interact with several other drugs, such as warfarin, certain diabetes medications, and diuretics (water pills). It is important to tell your healthcare provider about all the drugs you take before you start Bactrim.
3. Cipro (ciprofloxacin)
Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used in adults for a variety of infections, including gastrointestinal infections, kidney infections, and bone infections. It usually isn’t used in children unless it is needed to treat more serious infections such as anthrax or the plague. It can be prescribed as a tablet, oral suspension, or injection.
Serious side effects are associated with the use of ciprofloxacin, such as severe allergic reactions, seizures, psychosis, depression, suicidality, liver damage, peripheral neuropathy, and tendon rupture. Some of these side effects may not be reversible. This is usually why this antibiotic is not a first-line therapy.
4. Doxycycline
Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic that can be used in place of cephalexin when needed. There are several brand-name versions, like Oracea and Doryx, but most have specialized formulations or are used for particular infections. Indications for its use include gastrointestinal diseases, urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, sexually transmitted infections, and bacterial skin infections. Acne is one of the most common reasons doctors prescribe doxycycline. It can be administered orally or by injection.
Some adverse reactions when using this antibiotic include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, vaginal itching and discharge, headache, abdominal pain, candidiasis, skin/tissue hyperpigmentation, and permanent/temporary tooth discoloration. Doxycycline cannot be used while pregnant or breastfeeding. It should be used cautiously with birth control, antacids, laxatives, or vitamin supplements.
5. Erythromycin
Erythromycin is a generic macrolide antibiotic, though it can be purchased as a brand-name drug. Erythromycin has been approved to treat a variety of bacterial infections, such as respiratory tract infections, skin infections, chlamydia infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, and syphilis. Erythromycin is an oral antibiotic taken as a tablet, capsule, or oral suspension.
Side effects associated with its use include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and anorexia. More serious adverse effects include liver damage, hearing loss, and seizures. Because of potential problems, patients with known liver disease and those with low potassium or magnesium, will need to be monitored when taking this drug.
Natural alternatives to cephalexin
There are natural bacteria-fighting remedies, many of which can be purchased over the counter. Because natural antibiotics have not been fully studied, though, it is best to discuss using these alternatives with your healthcare provider. They may want to monitor the bacterial infection closely to ensure it is healing properly. For some bacterial infections, natural treatments may not be a suitable substitute for prescription antibiotics.
As an add-on treatment, however, natural alternatives could help. There are several naturally occurring compounds that have been shown to slow or arrest bacterial infections. Most can be purchased over the counter, such as honey, garlic, oregano, thyme, and turmeric.
Raw honey has been around for centuries. There has been research that shows it is effective for healing wounds and drawing out infection. Honey can be applied directly to the infected site or ingested.
Apple cider vinegar is another natural remedy known for its antimicrobial properties. Research shows that it may fight against minor Candida albicans, E. coli, and Staphylococcus aureus infections.
RELATED: Why you should take probiotics with antibiotics
How to switch to a cephalexin alternative
Abruptly stopping antibiotics, such as cephalexin, without proper guidance from your healthcare provider may cause the infection to return or cause the symptoms to get worse. Before you discontinue your cephalexin, get proper medical advice and instructions from your healthcare provider. Another antibiotic will likely need to be substituted. If this is the case, SingleCare coupons may help with purchasing your new antibiotic at a lower cost.
The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of May. 5, 2026. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our coupon page for updated drug prices at pharmacies near you.
- Natural compounds with antimicrobial and antiviral effect and nanocarriers used for their transportation, Frontiers in Pharmacology (2021)
- Antimicrobial activity of apple cider vinegar against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans; downregulating cytokine and microbial protein expression, Scientific Reports (2018)
- Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim tablet prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine) (2026)
- Medically accurate: SingleCare’s Medical Review Board analyzes all of our content to confirm it’s in line with current medical advice.
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