Cephalexin (Keflex ) For Urinary Infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are seen more commonly in women. The growth of unwanted bacteria can take place in the bladder and urethra. This infection is more common in women as their urethra is shorter compared to men and more petite. This allows bacteria to travel easily up to the urinary tract system.

Untreated UTIs can cause the bacteria to navigate toward the kidneys. This can lead to pyelonephritis. A number of symptoms, such as burning while urination, increased urine frequency, etc., will occur.

Cephalexin is an antibiotic (a medicine that eliminates and kills bacteria). Cephalexin is used in treating several infections in the body, such as Urinary tract infections UTIs, ear infections, upper respiratory infections, and bone infections. Cephalexin comes under the drug class known as Cephalosporins. 

The brand name of Cephalexin is known as Keflex. Cephalexin Antibiotics work by preventing the bacteria from multiplying or growing. Like any other antibiotics, Cephalexin does not work for viral infections such as flu and cold. Using antibiotics without reason would lead to no practical effect on the body.

A word of caution, Antibiotics should not be used without a solid reason. Using antibiotics rampantly can make your body resistant to bacterial infections and may not work in the future. Please consult with a medical doctor on your treatment regime.

Before Taking Cephalexin

Inform your doctor about your medical history when your doctor prescribes you Cephalexin. Also, make sure to keep the medicine away from children and pets. Inform the doctor if you are

• Allergic to Cephalexin or any other antibiotics
• Facing gastrointestinal issues
• Facing liver issues

How To Take Cephalexin?

Cephalexin dosage may differ as per your medical history and weight. Here are some quick tips that you need to keep in mind before taking Cephalexin:

• Take medicine every 6-12 hours. 
• If you consume a liquid form of the medicine, shake well before use. Use a proper measuring tool provided in the package. Avoid using kitchen spoons.  

Forms And Strengths Of Cephalexin

Dosage For Treatment Of Urinary Tract Infections

Dosage For Adults: 15-64 years

• Take 250mg every 6 hours or 
• Take 500mg every 12 hours

Dosage For Child: 1-14 years

• 25-50 mg of dosage can be prescribed as per your weight.

Effect The effect of the medication on infants less than 1 year has not been studied. Therefore, it is not recommended to provide such medication to infants.

Dosage For Senior Citizen: 65+ years

It is difficult for senior citizens to digest this medicine. The kidneys may get affected. Your doctor should prescribe a dose that will be easy to consume. The level of drugs in the system needs to be monitored closely in the case of senior citizens.

Your doctor may prescribe a higher dose if your infection is very severe in all of the above cases.

How Long Does Cephalexin Take To Work On UTIs?

Cephalexin can be consumed for a maximum of 14 days. It is an effective drug that works on UTIs within an hour. Overall improvements in the infection can be seen in a day or two. Time may vary according to the severity of your conditions. If it’s severe, it could take a little longer for you to feel good. 

Is Cephalexin Good for UTIs?

Cephalexin is a renowned medication for treating Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). It has been one of the most prescribed and frequently used drugs in the U.S.A. 

Ehealthme.com conducted a clinical study from the data of the FDA. The Reports of 22,314 people were collected who were suffering from UTIs. In this research, only 4.94% of the people have not recovered from UTIs after consuming Cephalexin. Side effects were seen in women who were above 60 years of age. This means that in the majority of the cases among women, Cephalexin is effective in treating UTIs.

What If Keflex Doesn’t Work for UTIs?

As seen in the data above, there may be instances where Keflex may not work for you. This may be because the bacteria may be resistant to Keflex. In this case, your infection may worsen. That is why it is essential to Complete your prescribed medication in specific doses and times, and you should not stop the treatment course abruptly.  If there has been no improvement in your UTIs, you should continue to observe symptoms like frequent urination, pain, or burning sensation in your body. You will need to consult your doctor immediately to change the medication.

Cephalexin Side Effects

There are standard and severe side effects that may affect your health if you consume Cephalexin for urinary tract infections.

Expected effects that can be seen are as follows:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach ache
• Itching sensation in the vagina
• DiarrheaDiarrhoea

Severe effects that can be seen are as follows:

• Severe stomach ache
• Breathlessness
• Severe headache
• Jaundice
• Weakness

Essential Considerations For Taking Cephalexin

Important factors that you should keep in mind are as follows:

General-  You can have Cephalexin with or without food at your convenience.

Storage- Store Cephalexin capsules within 15 to 30-degree degrees celsiuscelsius

Refills- Cephalexin can be refilled. You do not need a prescription to refill this medication. 

Travel- Here are some tips on traveling with Cephalexin:

• Carry your medication with you. (if you are flying, keep it in your check-in bag)
• No need to worry about screening at the airport
• Do carry your prescription if you are flying, and it’s essential to show it at the check-in.
• Try not to leave forget in your car, and do not keep it in any hot or cold areas.

Are There Any Alternatives To Cephalexin?

Cephalexin is a commonly used medication for treating UTIs at most times. If at all Cephalexin is not working for you, you can consider any of the following alternatives:

• Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim (Bactrim)
• Fosfomycin For UTIs
• Nitrofurantoin for UTIs
• Ciprofloxacin for UTIs
• Ceftriaxone for UTIs
• Levofloxacin for UTIs
• Amoxicillin for UTIs
• Doxycycline for UTIs

Conclusion

Cephalexin is an FDA-approved medicine. It is used in treating bacterial infections because of its working mechanism in the body. It helps cure and treat infections by lessening and eliminating bacteria, not viruses. It is a prescribed medicine at the start, later can that can be refilled without prescription after completing the first treatment course (only after being written in medication). It works well for Urinary Tract infections.UTIs.