Description
7-(D-alpha-amino-alpha-phenylacetamido)-3-methyl-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid monohydrate; Cefalexin monohydrate; Cefanex; Cephalexin; C-Lexin; Ibilex; Keflet; Keflex; Keftab;
Cefalexin or cephalexin 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) or Sporidex (Ranbaxy). 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 firstline 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.
