Package leaflet: Information for the user have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist exanthematous pustulosis).

pustulosis). See also

Cefalexin Tablets 250 mg Cefalexin Tablets for advice before taking this medicine. section 2.
500 mg The following side effects have been
Cefalexin 2. How to take Cefalexin reported
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you Always take this medicine exactly as your • Diarrhoea
start taking this medicine because it doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check • Feeling sick (nausea)
contains important information for you. with your doctor or pharmacist if you are • Vomiting
- Keep this leaflet. You may need not sure. • Indigestion
to read it again. Dosage • Stomach pains
Adults and the elderly • Measles-like rash, (alone)
- If you have any further
The usual total daily dose is 1-4 g orally, in • Itching
questions, ask your doctor or
divided doses. • Red wheals on the skin
pharmacist.
• Most infections can be treated (urticaria) (alone)
- This medicine has been by 500 mg every 8 hours. For skin and soft • Rash with wide spread joint pain
prescribed for you only. Do not tissue infections, sore throat (streptococcal and / or stiffness, swollen lymph glands,
pass it on to others. It may harm pharyngitis), and mild, uncomplicated fever and, possibly, cloudy urine
them, even if their signs of urinary tract infections, the usual dose is • Changes in blood counts, which
illness are the same as yours. 250 mg every 6 hours, or 500 mg every 12 may show up as bruising or a very tired
- If you get any side effects, talk to hours. feeling. You will need a blood test to
your doctor or pharmacist. This confirm this.
includes any possible side effects • For more severe infections, • Damage to your liver or kidneys
not listed in this leaflet. See larger doses may be needed. A reduced which can only be detected by a blood
section 4. dose is needed for patients with severe and / or urine test
kidney disorders.
1. What Cefalexin is and what it is • Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
used for Use in children • Weakness
Cefalexin contains the active ingredient • Fainting
cefalexin monohydrate, which is an The usual total daily dose for children is 25- • Abnormally excitable behaviour
antibiotic. 50 mg/kg (body weight) in divided doses. • Agitation
Cefalexin is used to treat the following • For skin and soft tissue • Tiredness
infections caused by bacteria that can be infections, streptococcal pharyngitis, and • Headache
killed by cefalexin: mild, uncomplicated urinary tract • Confusion
• Respiratory tract (lung and infections, the total daily dose may be • Dizziness
airways) infections e.g. tonsillitis, divided and administered every 12 hours. • Seeing or hearing things
pharyngitis and bronchitis (hallucinations)
• Middle ear infection (otitis For most infections the following schedule • Encephalopathy (non-
media) is suggested: inflammatory brain disease)
• Skin and soft tissue (e.g. muscle) Children under 5 years: 125 mg every 8 • Convulsions
infections hours. • Myoclonus (muscle-twitching)
• Bone and joint infections Children 5 years and over: 250 mg every 8 • Itching of the vagina or anus
• Infections of the reproductive hours. caused by thrush (candidiasis).
organs and urinary tract (e.g. cystitis), In severe infections, the dose may be
including acute inflammation of the doubled. In the treatment of middle ear Reporting of side effects
prostate (prostatitis) infections, a total daily dose of 75 to 100 If you get any side effects talk to your
• Dental infections mg/kg in 4 doses is required. doctor or pharmacist. This includes any
For oral use. The score line on the 500 mg possible side effects not listed in this
1. What you need to know before Tablet is only there to help you break the leaflet.
you take Cefalexin Do not take Cefalexin: tablet if you have difficulty swallowing it You can also report side effects directly via
• If you are allergic to cefalexin, whole. the Yellow Card Scheme Website:
other cephalosporins (similar antibiotics) or If you have any further questions on the www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for
any of the other use of this product, ask your doctor or MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or
ingredients of this medicine (listed in pharmacist. Apple App Store. By reporting side effects
Section 6). An allergic reaction may include you can help provide more information on
rash, itching, difficulty breathing or swelling 3. Possible side effects the safety of this medicine.
of the face, lips, throat or tongue. Like all medicines, this medicine can cause
side effects, although not everybody gets
Warnings and precautions them. 4. How to store Cefalexin
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before Tell your doctor immediately if you get any Keep this medicine out of the sight and
taking Cefalexin if you: sudden wheeziness, difficulty in breathing, reach of children.
• have had an allergic reaction to swelling of the eyelids, face or lips, rash or Do not use this medicine after the expiry
cefalexin, cephalosporins, penicillins, or itching (especially affecting your whole date which is stated on the label or carton
other drugs in the past body). after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last
• develop severe or prolonged Serious side effects day of that month.
diarrhoea during or after taking Cefalexin The following side effects are serious. You Do not store above 30°C. Keep containers
• have a severe kidney disorder should stop taking this medicine and tightly closed.
(you may need a reduced dose) contact your doctor immediately if you Do not throw away any medicines via
experience them: wastewater or household waste. Ask your
• have ever developed a severe • Serious peeling or blistering of pharmacist how to throw away medicines
skin rash or skin peeling, blistering and/or the skin you no longer use. These measures will
mouth sores after taking cefalexin or other • Severe diarrhoea help protect the environment.
antibacterials. • a red, scaly widespread rash
Pregnancy and breast-feeding with bumps under the skin and blisters
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think accompanied by fever at the initiation of
you may be pregnant or are planning to treatment (acute generalised