{"id":633099,"date":"2025-08-06T17:13:38","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T21:13:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=633099"},"modified":"2026-03-30T11:44:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T15:44:48","slug":"keflex-generic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/keflex-generic\/","title":{"rendered":"Keflex generic: Availability, cost, and dosage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Keflex (<\/span>cephalexin<\/span><\/a>) is an antibiotic that treats many different types of bacterial infections in the body. It\u2019s a first-generation <\/span>cephalosporin antibiotic<\/span><\/a>, 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u2019s what to know if you\u2019re prescribed this popular antibiotic.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

\u00a0 \u00a0Keflex generic availability<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Generic name<\/b><\/td>\nCephalexin<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FDA approval date of generic version<\/b><\/td>\n1982<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Is there a generic available for sale in the U.S.?<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Why was Keflex discontinued?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The specific reason for Keflex\u2019s discontinuation wasn\u2019t given, but the FDA determined that it wasn\u2019t for any reason related to the drug\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the differences between generic and brand-name Keflex?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Brand-name and generic drugs are <\/span>the same in all the ways that matter<\/span><\/a>. 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to <\/span>Katina Hope<\/span><\/a>, MD, a family medicine physician with Village Medical, there were no notable differences between Keflex and cephalexin before the brand name was discontinued. \u201cThey 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, <\/span>sometimes generic drugs differ from brand-name drugs<\/span><\/a> in other ways,\u201d says <\/span>Erika Gray<\/span><\/a>, 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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How much does generic Keflex cost?<\/span><\/h2>\n

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

\u00a0 Generic Keflex prices<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Cost details<\/b><\/td>\nKeflex generic (cephalexin)<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Average cost without insurance<\/b><\/td>\n$45 for 28, 500 mg capsules of cephalexin<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SingleCare\u2019s lowest price<\/b><\/td>\n$9 for 28, 500 mg capsules of cephalexin at Walmart<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Free coupons<\/b><\/td>\nCephalexin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/small><\/small><\/p>\n

Is generic Keflex covered by insurance?<\/span><\/h2>\n

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 <\/span>formulary<\/span><\/a> online. If you are paying without insurance, you can read more about paying for <\/span>cephalexin without insurance<\/span><\/a> here.<\/span><\/p>\n

Generic alternatives to Keflex<\/span><\/h2>\n

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:<\/span><\/p>\n