{"id":61557,"date":"2023-11-15T09:30:09","date_gmt":"2023-11-15T14:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=61557"},"modified":"2025-10-30T16:44:25","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T20:44:25","slug":"is-cephalexin-a-strong-antibiotic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/is-cephalexin-a-strong-antibiotic\/","title":{"rendered":"Is cephalexin a strong antibiotic?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Your ear has been throbbing for days. Perhaps you have a hacking cough that just won\u2019t go away. Or, you experience a burning sensation when you urinate. One trip to the doctor and a diagnosis later, you\u2019re walking out of the office with a prescription for cephalexin in hand.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Cephalexin<\/span><\/a> (also known by the brand name Keflex) is an antibiotic from the <\/span>cephalosporin family<\/span><\/a> that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat a number of bacterial infections, including skin and tissue infections, respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and ear infections.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This drug is often favored by healthcare providers because it is typically \u201cwell-tolerated\u201d by patients and has less toxicity than other classes of antibiotics, such as fluoroquinolones, according to <\/span>Hannah Imlay<\/span><\/a>, MD, an assistant professor of infectious diseases at the University of Utah Health in Salt Lake City. All that said, how strong is cephalexin? And how quickly will it work to clear the infection?<\/span>
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\n<\/span>RELATED: <\/b>Cephalexin vs. Amoxicillin<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Is cephalexin a strong antibiotic?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Cephalexin is a first-generation cephalosporin and broad-spectrum antibiotic that is effective against a <\/span>number of pathogens<\/span><\/a> including <\/span>Streptococcus pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus<\/span><\/i>, and <\/span>Streptococcus pyogenes<\/span><\/i>. These bacteria cause common ailments, including <\/span>middle ear infections<\/span><\/a> (otitis media), genitourinary tract infections, <\/span>skin infections<\/span><\/a>, soft tissue infections, respiratory infections, and bone infections.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, there are some notable exceptions. \u201cIt doesn’t cover some stronger bugs, like MRSA [Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus] or some stronger staph infections or pseudomonas,\u201d says <\/span>Greg Castelli<\/span><\/a>, Pharm.D., <\/span>director of academic and clinical pharmacy in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your healthcare professional may take a culture to ensure that your infection is caused by a type of bacteria that is susceptible to cephalexin. Like other antibiotics, cephalexin does not help treat the common cold, flu, COVID-19, or other types of viral infections.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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How quickly does cephalexin work?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Cephalexin starts working within <\/span>one hour<\/span><\/a> of taking the first dose. However, it takes a little bit longer to notice the difference in your symptoms, which is in indication that the bacterial infection is going away. This prescription drug works by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, according to Dr. Castelli. Depending on the type of infection you have, you may start feeling better as soon as the next day after starting treatment. Other more severe infections may take longer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not feeling better after the entire course of your antibiotic, you should call your healthcare provider. And even if you do start feeling better before you\u2019ve finished your prescription, it\u2019s important to take the entire course of the antibiotic to ensure the infection is gone and to prevent <\/span>antibiotic resistance<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How is cephalexin used?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Cephalexin<\/span><\/a> comes in three oral dosage forms: <\/span>capsule, tablet, and liquid<\/span><\/a>. Dosage depends on age. For children ages 1 year to 15 years old, the dose is based on body weight. For adults, the typical dose is between 250 mg to 500 mg, taken up to four times a day (though it might be as low as twice a day), for <\/span>seven to 14 days<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Consistent dosing is particularly important for cephalexin. \u201cYou have to keep a certain amount of the drug in your body to consistently have that bacteria-killing effect,\u201d Dr. Castelli explains. \u201cFor most infections, four times a day is what you need.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the case of a missed dose, if only a couple of hours have passed, it\u2019s okay to take it when you remember, according to Dr. Castelli. But if you\u2019re close to your next dose, simply wait until then and resume normal dosing. Do not double up on medication to try to make up for a missed dose.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cephalexin can be taken with or without food. If you experience abdominal pain or any stomach problems while on the drug (which is common for many antibiotics), take it with a light snack, such as yogurt, which will also provide probiotic benefits to help regulate your gut bacteria.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Side effects of cephalexin<\/span><\/h2>\n

Common side effects of cephalexin include:<\/span><\/p>\n