Cephalexin structure (racemic)
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Keflex

Cefalexin (previously also British Approved Name Cephalexin) is a drug that is a member of the cephalosporin class of antibiotics. It is one of the most widely prescribed antibiotics. more...

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Indications

Cefalexin is used to treat urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections (including sinusitis, otitis media, pharyngitis, tonsillitis and pneumonia), skin and soft tissue infections.

It is used in preference to one of the penicillin group when greater target site concentration is sought, bacterial have developed penicillin resistance, or for people allergic to a penicillin (there being only a 10% cross-over of allergy between the groups).

Formulations

Cefalexin comes as capsules or tablets of 250 or 500mg, and liquids of 125 or 250mg per 5ml. It should be taken with a full glass of water.

It is marketed under a wide range of brand names (e.g. Biocef, Cefanox, Ceporex, Keflet, Keflex, Keforal, Keftab, Keftal, and Lopilexin)

Dosage

Typical dosage is 250mg every 6 hours or 500mg every 8-12hours, and doubled in cases of severe infection. Smaller dosages are used for children based on weight or age.

Courses generally last for 7-10days, but just 3 days in the early treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infection in women.

Precautions

Cefalexin should not be taken by those known to be allergic to other members of the Cephalosporin group. Caution is required for those with known allergic to a member of the penicillin group as there is about a 10% cross-over rate between the groups.

Being a broad-spectrum antibiotic, its effect on gut flora may interfere with the effectiveness of the oral contraceptive pill.

Side Effects

Cefalexin is generally well tolerated with stomach or bowel upset the most likely side-effect. It may also cause fatigue or headaches.

Rarely allergic reactions, e.g. itching, swelling, dizziness or trouble breathing.

As per broad-spectrum penicillins, overgrowth with oral or vaginal yeast infections may occur.

Refereneces

  • FDA Drug Information PDF and Pharmacy Drug Information Insert.
  • British National Formulary '50' September 2005

Read more at Wikipedia.org


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Clinical quiz
From American Family Physician, 8/1/05

Clinical Quiz questions are based on selected articles in this issue of American Family Physician. Answers appear in this issue. AFP has been reviewed by the American Academy of Family Physicians as having content acceptable for Prescribed credit. Term of approval is for one year from the beginning distribution date of January 2005. This issue has been reviewed and is acceptable for up to 3.0 Prescribed credits, of which 0.5 credit conforms to AAFP criteria for evidence-based continuing medical education (EB CME) clinical content. The amount of CME has been doubled to reflect two-for-one credit for the EB CME portion only. When reporting CME credits, AAFP members should report total Prescribed credits earned for this activity. It is not necessary for members to label credits as EB CME for reporting purposes.

The AAFP is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide CME for physicians.

The AAFP designates this educational activity for a maximum of 3.0 Category 1 credits toward the American Medical Association Physician's Recognition Award (AMA/PRA). Each physician should claim only those credits that he or she actually spent in the activity.

AAFP Credit

Each copy of AFP contains a Clinical Quiz answer card. AAFP members may use this card to obtain the designated number of Prescribed credit hours for the year in which the card is postmarked.

AMA/PRA Category 1 Credit

AAFP members who satisfy the Academy's CME requirements are automatically eligible for the AMA/PRA.

Physicians who are not members of the AAFP are eligible to receive the designated number of credits in Category 1 of the AMA/PRA on completion and return of the Clinical Quiz answer card. AFP keeps a record of AMA/PRA Category 1 credits for nonmember physicians. This record will be provided on request; however, nonmembers are responsible for reporting their own Category 1 CME credits when applying for the AMA/PRA or other certificates or credentials.

For health care professionals who are not physicians and are AFP subscribers, a record of CME credit is kept by the AAFP and will be provided to you on written request. You are responsible for reporting CME credits to your professional organization.

NOTE: The full text of AFP is available online (http://www.aafp.org/afp), including each issue's Clinical Quiz. The table of contents for each online issue will link you to the Clinical Quiz. Just follow the online directions to take the quiz and, if you are an AAFP member, you can submit your answers for CME credit.

Instructions

1 Read each article, answer all questions on the quiz pages, and transfer your answers to the Clinical Quiz answer card (bound into your copy of AFP). This will help you avoid errors and permit you to check your answers against the correct answers.

2 Mail the Clinical Quiz answer card within one year (by August 31, 2006). The bar code on the answer card contains your identification for CME credit hours.

Before beginning the test, please note: Each Clinical Quiz includes two types of questions: Type A and Type X.

Type A questions have only one correct answer and may have four or five choices. Here is a typical Type A question:

Type X questions may have one or more correct answers. They are multiple true-false questions with four options. Here is a typical Type X question:

Clinical Quiz questions are written by the associate and assistant editors of AFP.

CME Quality Survey

Please answer the following questions to help us monitor the quality of AFP's CME material on an ongoing basis. Mark your answers on this issue's quiz card. We would appreciate hearing any suggestions you have for improving the CME experience offered through AFP. See the directory on page 355.

COPYRIGHT 2005 American Academy of Family Physicians
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group

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