Spectrum: Local Antimicrobial Stewardship, for Yangon Children's Hospital

Cephalexin

C. diff Risk

Medium

Oral Bioavailability

Excellent

Approximate Cost

$1/day

Spectrum Of Activity

General Spectrum of Activity

Spectrum Of Activity

Dosing

Neonatal

PNA-days 0 - 712.5-25 mg/kg/dose q12h

PNA-days 7 - 2112.5-25 mg/kg/dose q8h

PNA-days 21+ 12.5-25 mg/kg/dose q6h

Renal

Renally cleared, requires dosage adjustment with changes in renal function. Consult a pharmacist for renal dosing.

Pediatric

UTI7.5 mg/kg/dose PO q6-12h

UTI Px12.5 mg/kg/dose PO OD HS

Adult

Usual dose: 500 mg PO q6h

General Information

Common Usage

Common Usage

Uncomplicated skin and soft tissue infection, osteomyelitis, MSSA infections

Adverse Effects

Adverse Effects

  • Allergy/rash (immediate or delayed), cephalexin and amoxicillin have the same side chain, hence cross -allergenicity may occur

  • Can cause positive Coombs, cytopenias, eosinophilia

Pharmacology

Pharmacology

Antimicrobial class: First generation cephalosporin - oral

Average serum half life:

  • Neonates: 5 hours.

  • Children 3 to 12 months: 2.5 hours.

  • Adults: 0.5-1.2 hours

Route of Elimination: 80% to 100% of dose excreted as unchanged drug in urine within 8 hours