Cephalexin tablets 250-500 mg. Price, instructions for use, reviews

Tablets Cephalaxin 250 and 500 mg - a broad-spectrum antibacterial drug for oral administration. Despite the low price, it has good efficacy and is prescribed to patients who have reached 3 years of age. The high quality of the drug has been confirmed by numerous clinical trials, positive reviews from doctors and patients.

Form of release of tablets Cephalexin

Cephalexin is produced in 4 forms:

• Film-coated tablets (250 mg) are produced by the Russian company Biochemist.
• Gelatin capsules filled with white or yellowish powder (250, 500 mg) with a characteristic medicinal odor. Produced by the Russian pharmaceutical company AVVA RUS and the Montenegrin company Hemomont d.o.o.
  insta story viewer
• Powder for suspension preparation (125, 250, 500 mg). The manufacturer is the Russian company Sintez.
• Yellow-orange granules for suspension preparation (250 mg / 5 ml). When mixed with water, they form a yellowish-orange suspension with a fruity aroma and a bittersweet taste. Manufacturer - Montenegrin company Hemomont d.o.o. and a Serbian company - Hemofarm.

  

All forms of release of the antibacterial agent are equally effective. Their choice depends on the wishes of the patient or the prescription of the doctor. Cephalexin - tablets (250 mg), the price of which is less than the cost of capsules, powder and granules. Therefore, they are used most often. Tablets and capsules are produced in blister packs, granules - in dark bottles, which are supplied with a 5 ml measuring spoon.

Composition of the preparation

The drug is produced on the basis of the active substance cephalexin monohydrate with the addition of excipients that differ depending on the form of release and manufacturing company:

• citric acid;
• magnesium stearate;
• calcium stearate;
• potato starch;
• food additives: E132, E171;
• dyes E172;
• flavors: strawberry, apple, raspberry, tutti frutti.

The addition of excipients is necessary to stabilize the physical, chemical, microbiological characteristics of the drug, impart taste, color and odor to it.

Pharmacological properties

The drug belongs to the 1st generation cephalosporin antibiotics. It is characterized by antibacterial and bactericidal effects. The action is aimed at disrupting the synthesis of cell walls and the destruction of pathogenic biological agents. It is resistant to β-lactamases - bacterial enzymes that counteract antibiotics.

The drug is characterized by a wide spectrum of action, is active towards:

• gram-positive microorganisms: staphylococci (including penicillin-sensitive, non-β-lactamase-producing strains, pneumococci); diphtheria bacillus; streptococci (excluding enterococci);
• gram-negative microorganisms: meningococci, gonococci, shigella, salmonella, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella (including Friedlander's stick), moraxelle catarrhalis, bacteria of the genus Proteus, treponema, radiant mushrooms.

The active ingredient of the drug is not active against:

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
• indole-positive strains of bacteria of the genus Proteus and serration;
• morganella blinking;
• Koch's stick;
• fecal enterococcus;
• Pfeiffer's wand;
• enterobacteriaceae;
• acinetobacters;
• methicillin-resistant strains;
• anaerobic microorganisms.

The active substance exhibits resistance to the staphylococcal penicillinase enzyme. It is destroyed by the action of a cephalosporinase produced by gram-negative microorganisms.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

Cephalexin is characterized by fast and good absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, bioavailability 90-96%. Eating food before taking it slows down absorption, but does not decrease it. Further, there is a uniform distribution of cephalexin in all tissues, body fluids, pericardial and pleural membranes. The ingredients are able to penetrate the placental barrier, breast milk.

With normal kidney function, the duration of the therapeutic concentration of the agent in the blood does not exceed 6-8 hours. Violation of the excretory function of the kidneys leads to an increase in concentration and a lengthening of the period of removal of the drug from the body. In such cases, for a moderate withdrawal of cephalexin, hemodialysis is relevant, and peritoneal dialysis is active.

The main organ for excretion of the drug from the body is the kidneys: 70-90% (⅔ - glomerular filtration, ⅓ - tubular secretion), 0.5-0.6% comes out with bile. The drug is not converted to metabolites and leaves the body during urination unchanged, within 6 hours after ingestion. It takes 8 hours for a complete withdrawal.

Indications for use

Cephalexin - tablets (250 mg), the price of which is much lower than analogues.

They have many indications for bacterial infections:

Organs, organ systems	Diseases
Respiratory system	With pharyngitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, pneumonia.
ENT organs	Inflammatory processes in the middle ear.
Skin and soft tissues	It is prescribed for furunculosis, abscesses, phlegmon, pyoderma, lymphadenitis
Bones and joints	Arthritis and osteomyelitis are infectious bone lesions.
Genitourinary system	It is advisable to prescribe for pyelonephritis, cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis, epididymitis, endometritis, vulvovaginitis.
Oral cavity	Microbial inflammatory processes of endodont, periodontal.

Contraindications

The use of Cephalexin is prohibited if the increased sensitivity of the body is caused by β-lactam antibiotics (including cephalosporins, penicillins), additional ingredients of the drug due to the risk of developing allergic reactions:

• Early, arising within half an hour after priming the remedy. They appear mainly in the form of urticaria. Anaphylactic shock may develop, which is accompanied by shortness of breath, hives, wheezing, drowsiness and loss of consciousness, frequent or weak pulse, blue skin, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting. The condition is life threatening and requires urgent medical attention.
• Delayed, arising after 2-72 hours after repeated use of β-lactam antibiotic. There is a clinical picture in the form of urticaria, itching, bronchospasm, laryngeal edema.
• Late, which develop most often after 3 days after using the drug. Symptoms appear in the form of skin rashes, urticaria, joint pain, fever.

Also, Cephalexin is contraindicated in:

• porphyrin disease - impaired pigment metabolism and an increase in the content of porphyrin in the blood;
• diseases of the digestive system, including ulcerative colitis, requiring antibiotic therapy (to avoid pseudomembrane colitis);
• initial therapy for any generalized infection, in which cephalosporin is administered parenterally into the body.

Prescribing the drug to pregnant women is possible after comparing the expected benefits of therapy with the potential risk to the unborn child. If therapy with Cephalexin is necessary during the period of breastfeeding, it is recommended to suspend breastfeeding at this time. Renal failure and liver disease are not absolute contraindications to taking an antibiotic, but require a dosage reduction depending on the severity of the pathology.

At what age can the drug be used?

The use of tablets and capsules is possible when patients reach 3 years of age. A suspension is used up to this age. Some manufacturers, in the instructions for the drug, recommend its use from the age of 18, since it contains food dyes that are unsafe for health with the letter code E. According to studies, these components can cause severe allergic reactions, asthma, the appearance of tumors and skin diseases.

Instructions for use, dosage

Cephalexin is intended for oral administration in amounts determined by the attending physician in the individual order, taking into account the age category of a person, the severity, nature of the disease, the presence of concomitant pathologies and other factors.

It is consumed in 30-45 minutes. before meals, it is not chewed and washed down with a small amount of liquid (100-200 ml).

For patients who have reached 10 years of age, it is recommended to use 250 mg daily no more than 4 times (with intervals of 6 hours), and 500 mg twice a day (break - 12 hours). The daily dosage should not be higher than 1 g; in severe cases, it can be increased to 3-4 g.

The duration of therapy is 1-2 weeks. Discontinuation of antibiotic treatment is recommended 2-3 days after the clinical manifestations of the disease have disappeared or after bacteriological studies.

β-hemolytic streptococcus, according to Lancefield's classification of group A, causes pharyngitis and infection of the skin. Diseases caused by this pathogenic agent require Cephalexin therapy for at least 10 days.

In case of impaired renal functions, the daily dosage is adjusted downward and is 0.5-1.5 g.

Elderly patients are prescribed the drug taking into account age-related changes in the urinary system. The dosage is reduced when significant violations in its work are detected, therapy should be carried out with constant monitoring of the state of the kidneys.

Until the patient reaches 10 years of age, a suspension is taken. If the child's body weight does not exceed 40 kg, the daily dosage is prescribed at the rate of 25 mg per 50 kg of body weight. The drug is applied 3-4 times a day at regular intervals. To prepare a suspension, water is added to the granules. The resulting product is shaken.

With angina

With angina, Cephalexin is prescribed with an increase in the tonsils and a white bloom on them, soreness of the cervical lymph nodes, high temperature, and no cough. As a rule, the drug is used according to the following scheme: daily 250 mg 3 times a day from 10 days to 2 weeks. If necessary, the dosage must be adjusted.

With sinusitis

The accumulation of purulent secretions in the maxillary sinuses of the nose requires the appointment of antibacterial agents. The use of cephalexin for sinusitis as an additional drug is advisable for destruction of pathogenic microflora in lesions and prevention of the development of a dangerous complication - meningitis. The drug is prescribed according to the general scheme, the dosage can be changed by the attending physician.

With pneumonia

Cephalosporins for pneumonia, as a rule, are prescribed for individual intolerance to macrolides.

They are effective for uncomplicated disease caused by:

• pneumococci;
• streptococci;
• enterobacteriaceae.

They are used according to the general scheme.

With furunculosis

Antibiotics are prescribed for diffuse or recurrent boils or for their location on the head, in the upper body. Cephalexin is effective against pathogenic staphylococci, it is taken twice a day for 1-2 weeks in conjunction with other drugs.

With cystitis

In case of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bladder, the drug is taken according to the general scheme. The dosage may vary depending on the pathogen and the form of the disease (acute, chronic).

Side effects

Taking Cephalexin can lead to side effects:

Organ systems	Clinical manifestations
Immune	Taking the drug is fraught with skin rash, erythema, eosinophilia, anaphylaxis.
Digestive	The appearance of dyspeptic disorders, cholestatic jaundice, pseudomembranous enterocolitis, dysbiosis is possible.
Nervous	The patient may experience dizziness, weakness, headaches, increased agitation, hallucinations, and seizures.
Genitourinary	Therapy causes the danger of interstitial nephritis, the appearance of an itching sensation in the genitals, anus, inflammation of the vaginal mucosa.
Hematopoiesis	Perhaps a decrease in the number of circulating leukocytes, the development of neutropenia, thrombocytopenia.
Musculoskeletal	Manifestations of arthralgia, arthritis are not excluded
Change in laboratory parameters	Increases prothrombin time

Overdose

An overdose of Cephalexin is accompanied by:

• dyspeptic disorders;
• painful sensations in the epigastrium;
• hematuria;
• electrolyte imbalance, hyperreflexia;
• convulsions.

Until the person's condition stabilizes, it is required to constantly monitor hematological, renal, hepatic functions, blood coagulation and other vital parameters. The stomach is flushed if the usual dosage is exceeded by more than 5 times. It is necessary to carry out symptomatic therapy with activated charcoal or by hemodialysis.

special instructions

During the passage of therapy with Cephalexin, the use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited. It is also better to give up driving vehicles and other activities that require increased attention due to the risk of developing adverse reactions.

Treatment with the drug can lead to a positive direct Coombs' reaction, a false positive determination of glucose in the urine. Staphylococcal infection leads to cross-resistance between cephalosporin and antistaphylococcal penicillins.

During therapy or a few weeks after its end, diarrhea due to pseudomembranous colitis is not excluded. With a mild course, the reception of Cephalexin should be discontinued, the condition will return to normal on its own. In severe condition, it is necessary to prevent fluid loss and normalize the water-salt balance.

Drug interactions

Cephalexin - tablets (500 mg), the price of which is affordable for each patient. They have a wide spectrum of action, are prescribed as monotherapy or along with other drugs, including antibacterial drugs.

• Reception of aminoglycoside antibacterial agents, loop diuretics, polymyxins together with Cephalexin increases the nephrotoxicity of drugs.
• Combination therapy of Erythromycin with Cephalexin leads to a decrease in the therapeutic effect of the two agents.
• Therapy with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (indomethacin, aspirin) slows down the withdrawal of the antibiotic.
• Antithrombotic agents increase their effect when taken together with Cefalexin.

Analogs

Cephalexin - tablets (250 mg), which have analogues, from which they differ in a more acceptable price for the consumer.

Analogs with a similar mechanism of action include:

• Lexin.
• Cefapirin.
• Ospeksin.
• Ecocephron.
• Keflex.

Self-replacement of Cephalexin with analogues is prohibited. The drugs may differ in ingredients, contraindications, side effects.

Terms, conditions of sale and storage

Cephalexin is a prescription drug, you should contact your doctor for its appointment and prescription. The product is usable within three years from the date of manufacture. It is stored in dark, dry places at a temperature not exceeding 25 ° C. The prepared suspension is stored under the same conditions, but is usable within a week, in cold places (refrigerator) the shelf life is increased to two weeks. Children and animals should not have free access to the drug, in order to avoid poisoning.

Price

Cephalexin - tablets (250, 500 mg), the price of which depends on the form of release and the manufacturer. So, the purchase of capsules, granules and powder will cost more than tablets. The cost of the drug is available to each patient, as it is about 70 rubles. per packing.

Cephalexin tablets are an effective antibacterial agent, the popularity of which is due to a wide spectrum of action and a low price for both a dosage of 250 and 500 mg.

Video about Cephalexin tablets

Instructions for the use of Cephalexin: