Keflex generic: Availability, cost, and dosage

In this article:

• Why was Keflex discontinued?
• What are the differences between generic and brand-name Keflex?
• How much does generic Keflex cost?
• Is generic Keflex covered by insurance?
• Generic alternatives to Keflex
• What are the off-label uses for cephalexin?

In this article

• Why was Keflex discontinued?
• What are the differences between generic and brand-name Keflex?
• How much does generic Keflex cost?
• Is generic Keflex covered by insurance?
• Generic alternatives to Keflex
• What are the off-label uses for cephalexin?

Keflex (cephalexin) is an antibiotic that treats many different types of bacterial infections in the body. It’s a first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic, which means it was one of the first drugs developed in this category. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1971, but as a brand-name drug, Keflex was gradually discontinued in its various forms and dosages. 

However, the generic version, cephalexin, is still widely prescribed today and is approved for use in treating certain bacterial infections of the respiratory tract, bone, skin, ears, genitals, and urinary tract. Here’s what to know if you’re prescribed this popular antibiotic.

Keflex generic availability
Generic name	Cephalexin
FDA approval date of generic version	1982
Is there a generic available for sale in the U.S.?	Yes

Why was Keflex discontinued? 

The specific reason for Keflex’s discontinuation wasn’t given, but the FDA determined that it wasn’t for any reason related to the drug’s safety or efficacy. Most likely, a combination of marketing and manufacturing issues played a role, or it simply became more cost-effective to only produce the generic version of Keflex. Generic versions of Keflex, called cephalexin, are still widely prescribed.

What are the differences between generic and brand-name Keflex?

Brand-name and generic drugs are the same in all the ways that matter. They contain the same active ingredients and are equally safe and effective. But generic drugs are usually cheaper than brand-name drugs and may be more affordable for consumers.

According to Katina Hope, MD, a family medicine physician with Village Medical, there were no notable differences between Keflex and cephalexin before the brand name was discontinued. “They had the same mechanism of action, contained the same active ingredient, had the same side effects, and were both used to treat a myriad of bacterial infections.”

“However, sometimes generic drugs differ from brand-name drugs in other ways,” says Erika Gray, Pharm.D., cofounder of Toolbox Genomics, including their inactive ingredients, color, or taste. This could affect how some consumers tolerate the generic version versus the brand-name, but not how they work, or their overall safety or effectiveness.  

How much does generic Keflex cost?

Without insurance, a 28-capsule prescription for 500 milligrams of cephalexin could cost around $45. With a SingleCare coupon for cephalexin, that price could drop to just $9.

Generic Keflex prices
Cost details	Keflex generic (cephalexin)
Average cost without insurance	$45 for 28, 500 mg capsules of cephalexin
SingleCare’s lowest price	$9 for 28, 500 mg capsules of cephalexin at Walmart
Free coupons	Cephalexin coupons

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of March 18, 2026. 

Is generic Keflex covered by insurance?

Brand-name Keflex is no longer available in the U.S., but generic cephalexin is usually covered by insurance plans, including commercial health plans and Medicare and Medicaid prescription plans. However, coverage and out-of-pocket costs vary by plan. To find out if your specific insurance plan covers cephalexin, you can call your plan directly or view the most recent formulary online. If you are paying without insurance, you can read more about paying for cephalexin without insurance here.

Generic alternatives to Keflex

Since brand-name Keflex is no longer manufactured, generic cephalexin would be the primary generic alternative. Generic cephalexin is available in several forms, including oral capsules, oral tablets, and oral suspension (liquid). If generic cephalexin is not an option or you cannot take or tolerate this medicine, there are other generic antibiotics used for bacterial infections that you can discuss with your healthcare provider, such as:

• Amoxicillin
• Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate)
• Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim)
• Levofloxacin
• Zithromax (azithromycin)

The best alternative will depend on various factors, including the type of bacterial infection being treated and other medical conditions you have. You can read more about cephalexin alternatives here.

What are the off-label uses for cephalexin? 

Cephalexin has a long success rate in treating the bacterial infections it’s approved for, including middle ear infections, soft tissue infections, strep throat, and UTIs. It can also be used off-label for a few other purposes. 

Prophylactic use

Dr. Gray says cephalexin can be used as a prophylactic antibiotic in people with certain cardiac conditions having dental or respiratory tract procedures to prevent a bacterial infection of the heart valve. Although some people who are allergic to penicillin are also allergic to cephalosporin antibiotics, cephalexin can be a safe alternative for certain people with a penicillin allergy, under the guidance of a healthcare provider.

Joint infections

Though not specifically listed as an approved use, Dr. Hope says cephalexin can be used to treat some types of joint infections. Research shows that cephalexin penetrates joint tissue well and could be used to treat joint infections caused by certain types of bacteria.

Dr. Gray says cephalexin can also be used to manage joint infections after joint replacement surgery, including when long-term use of antibiotics is needed because a second surgery to remove infected tissues isn’t feasible.

Diabetic foot ulcers

Foot ulcers and infections are common in people with diabetes. Dr. Hope says cephalexin can be used to treat these infections, especially when they are mild and caused by common strains of Staphylococcus bacteria. 

Expert takeaway

“I’ve been a pharmacist for almost 25 years, and I have rarely seen brand-name Keflex stocked in pharmacies, even when both brand and generic were available,” says Karen Berger, Pharm.D., member of the SingleCare Medical Board. “Generic cephalexin is widely prescribed and trusted by healthcare professionals to treat bacterial infections.”