Keflex

Country: Australia

Language: English

Source: Department of Health (Therapeutic Goods Administration)

Active ingredient:

Cephalexin; Cefalexin

Available from:

Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd

Class:

Medicine Registered

Patient Information leaflet

KEFLEX
®

_cephalexin monohydrate_
CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION (CMI)

WHAT IS IN THIS LEAFLET
This leaflet answers some common
questions about Keflex. It does not
contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking
with your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and
benefits. Your doctor has weighed
the risks of you taking Keflex against
the benefits they expect it will have
for you.
IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT
TAKING THIS MEDICINE, TALK TO YOUR
DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST.
KEEP THIS LEAFLET WITH THE MEDICINE.
You may need to read it again.
WHAT KEFLEX IS USED
FOR
Keflex contains cephalexin
monohydrate as the active ingredient.
It is used to treat infections caused by
bacteria in different parts of the
body, including infections of the:
•
respiratory tract (throat, tonsils,
chest and lungs)
•
nose (sinusitis)
•
ears (otitis media)
•
skin and soft tissue
•
kidneys and bladder
(genitourinary tract).
This medicine belongs to a group of
medicines called cephalosporins.
These antibiotics work by killing the
bacteria that are causing your
infection.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST IF
YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY
THIS MEDICINE HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED
FOR YOU.
Your doctor may have prescribed it
for another reason.
This medicine is available only with
a doctor's prescription.
There is no evidence that it is
addictive.
BEFORE YOU TAKE IT
_WHEN YOU MUST NOT TAKE IT_
DO NOT TAKE KEFLEX IF YOU HAVE AN
ALLERGIC REACTION TO:
•
any medicine containing
cephalexin monohydrate
•
other cephalosporins
•
any of the ingredients listed at the
end of this leaflet.
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE IF YOU
HAVE HAD A SERIOUS ALLERGIC REACTION
TO PENICILLIN.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic
reaction may include shortness of
breath, wheezing or difficulty
breathing; swelling of the face, lips,
tongue or other parts of the body;
rash, itching or hives on the skin.
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE AFTER THE
EXPIRY DATE PRINTED ON THE PACK OR
IF THE PACKAGING IS TORN OR SHOWS
SIGNS OF TAMPERING.

Summary of Product characteristics

KEFLEX –Product Information                                                                                                            
                        Page 1 of 8 

PRODUCT INFORMATION 

KEFLEX
®

Cephalexin (as cephalexin monohydrate)  

NAME OF THE DRUG 

KEFLEX (cephalexin monohydrate) is a semisynthetic cephalosporin
antibiotic for oral 
administration.  It is 7-(D-

-amino-

-phenyl-acetamido)-3-methyl-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid, 
monohydrate.   Cephalexin monohydrate has the following structural
formula. 

DESCRIPTION 

The nucleus of cephalexin is related to that of other cephalosporin
antibiotics.  The compound is a 
zwitterion; i.e. the molecule contains both a basic and an
acidic group. The isoelectric point of 
cephalexin in water is approximately 4.5 to 5. 

The crystalline form of cephalexin which is available is
a monohydrate. It is a white crystalline solid 
having a bitter taste. Solubility in water is low at room
temperature; 1or 2 mg/mL may be dissolved 
readily, but higher concentrations are obtained with
increasing difficulty. 

The cephalosporins differ from penicillins in the structure of
the bicyclic ring system. Cephalexin 
has a D-phenylglycyl group as substituent at the 7-amino position
and an unsubstituted methyl 
group at the 3-position. 

KEFLEX is available in hard gelatin capsules and powder for oral
liquid in bottles and sachets*. 

KEFLEX capsules contain the active cephalexin monohydrate
equivalent to 250 mg or 500 mg of 
cephalexin.  They also contain the excipients avicel
RC 591, dimethicone 350 and magnesium 
stearate. The capsule shell consists of patent blue
V, quinoline yellow, titanium dioxide, gelatin and 
colorcon S-1-8144 black ink. 

KEFLEX powder for oral liquid in bottles contains the
active cep