Cefalexin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
|
|
Cefalexin
|
|
| Systematic (IUPAC) name | |
| 8-(2-amino-2-phenyl-acetyl)amino -4-methyl-7-oxo-2-thia-6-azabicyclo [4.2.0]oct-4-ene-5-carboxylic acid | |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | |
| ATC code | J01 |
| PubChem | |
| DrugBank | |
| Chemical data | |
| Formula | C16H17N3O4S |
| Mol. mass | 347.39 g/mol |
| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | Well absorbed |
| Metabolism | 90% excreted unchanged |
| Half life | 0.9 hours |
| Excretion | Renal |
| Therapeutic considerations | |
| Pregnancy cat. | |
| Legal status | |
| Routes | Oral |
Cefalexin (INN) (IPA: [kɛfəˈlɛksən, sɛfə-]) or cephalexin (USAN) is a first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It is an orally-administered agent with a similar antimicrobial spectrum to the intravenous agents cefalotin and cefazolin. It is commonly marketed under the trade name Keflex (Lilly).
Contents |
[edit] Clinical use
[edit] 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.
Although it is not generally considered first-line therapy for any indication, it is a useful alternative to penicillins in patients with penicillin hypersensitivity. There is, however, cross-reactivity in 10% of patients with hypersensitivity to penicillins and carbapenems.
[edit] Formulations
Cefalexin is commonly marketed as capsules (250 mg and 500 mg), tablets, and powder for oral suspension (125 mg/5 mL and 250 mg/5 mL).
Cephalexin is being marketed as Keflex® 750 mg as "taken twice per day" as a brand when its generic, cephalexin 500 mg sells to physicians for 25 cents per capsule as of December 2006. The Brand, Keflex® 750 mg costs at least five times more and is not more effective than a generic brand in the United States. As such, some physicians have opted to prescribe generic forms of cephalexin equivalent to 750 mg (eg. three 250 mg capsules taken twice daily). Sales of Keflex® 750 have not met the manufacturer's expectations, possibly due to such practices.
It is marketed by generic pharmaceutical manufacturers under a wide range of brand names, including: Apo-Cephalex, Biocef, Cefanox, Ceporex, Cilex, Ialex, Ibilex, Keflet, Keflex, Keforal, Keftab, Keftal, Lopilexin, Novo-Lexin, Panixine Disperdose and Sporidex.
[edit] See also
|
|
|
|---|---|
| First Generation | Cefacetrile, Cefadroxil, Cefalexin, Cefaloglycin, Cefalonium, Cefaloridine, Cefalotin, Cefapirin, Cefatrizine, Cefazaflur, Cefazedone, Cefazolin, Cefradine, Cefroxadine, Ceftezole |
| Second Generation | Cefaclor, Cefamandole, Cefonicid, Ceforanide, Cefotiam, Cefprozil, Cefuroxime, Cefuzonam |
| Third Generation | Cefcapene, Cefdaloxime, Cefdinir, Cefditoren, Cefetamet, Cefixime, Cefmenoxime, Cefodizime, Cefoperazone, Cefotaxime, Cefpimizole, Cefpiramide, Cefpodoxime, Cefsulodin, Ceftazidime, Cefteram, Ceftibuten, Ceftiofur, Ceftiolene, Ceftizoxime, Ceftriaxone, Latamoxef |
| Fourth Generation | Cefclidine, Cefepime, Cefetecol,Cefluprenam, Cefoselis, Cefozopran, Cefpirome, Cefquinome |
[edit] External links
- MedlinePlus Drug Information: Cephalosporins (systemic) – information from USP DI Advice for the Patient
- FDA Drug Information PDF and Pharmacy Drug Information Insert.
