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Back to 1st Generation Cephalosporins

Brand Name: Keflex
Name: Cephalexin

Pregnancy Category B

Drug classes

Antibiotics
Cephalosporin (first generation)

Mechanism of action of Keflex
Bactericidal:  inhibits synthesis of bacterial cell wall, causing cell death.

Indications of Keflex

• Respiratory tract infections caused by S. pneumoniae, group A ?hemolytic streptococci
• Dermatologic infections caused by staphylococci, streptococci
• Otitis media caused by S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, streptococci, staphylococci, M. catarrhalis
• Bone infections caused by staphylococci, P. mirabilis
• GU infections caused by E. coli, P. mirabilis, Klebsiella

Contraindications of Keflex

• Allergy to cephalosporins or penicillins
• Renal failure
• Lactation

Adverse effectsof Keflex

• CNS: Headache, dizziness, lethargy, paresthesias
• GI: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, abdominal pain, flatulence, pseudomembranous colitis, liver toxicity
• Hematologic: Bone marrow depression
• GU: Nephrotoxicity
• Hypersensitivity: Ranging from rash, fever to anaphylaxis; serum sickness reaction
• Other: Superinfections

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