Introduction

Name

• Cephalexin.

Class of drug

• 1st generation cephalosporin antibiotic.
• Member of beta-lactam group.

Description

Chemical name

• [6R-[6-alpha,7-beta(R*]]-7-(aminophenylacetyl)amino]-3-methyl-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid.

Molecular formula

• C16H17N3O4S.

Physical properties

• Oily suspension.
• Granules.
• Tablets.

Storage requirements

• <25°C.
• Protect from light.
• Refrigeration preferable.

Uses

Indications

• Active against several gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, egStaphylococcusspp Staphylococcus spp ,Pasteurellaspp Pasteurella multocida andEscherichia coli Escherichia coli.
• Pseudomonasspp Pseudomonas andProteusspp Proteus spp are often resistant to cephalexin.

Administration

Precautions

Interactions

with other drugs

Bacteriostatic antibiotics

• The bactericidal activity of cephalosporins may be affected by the concomitant use of bacteriostatic agents, eg erythromycin Erythromycin , tetracycline Tetracycline.

Amphotericin and loop diuretics

• There may be an increased risk of nephrotoxicity if used with cephalosporins Amphotericin B Furosemide.

Probenicid

• Probenecid reduces the excretion of cephalosporins.

Adverse Reactions

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.

Other sources of information

• Based on BSAVA Small Animal Formulary. Ramsey I (2017) 9th edn. Cheltenham: BSAVA.