Cephalexin Working Facts

Cephalexin Working

Best Answers

If I drink alcohol while taking cephalexin will it no work? I have to start taking cephalexin for an ear infection. Will alcohol make it not work?

9Suns replied: "Alcohol will drastically reduce the action of the antibiotic. You may as well throw the pills away if you intend to drink while on the this med. It would be in your BEST interest not to drink while you are on the medication. You'll get better and you won't have a recurrence of the infection. GOOD LUCK!!!"

Will giving my daughter cephalexin work? ok so i read that some little girls get a lot of recurring uti's. well my daughter says it hurts when she pees and her right side hurts. Now that really worries me because i don't want my daughter to have to go through all that. So i'm wondering if anyone out there actually had it happen to and if the medicine worked the first time. PLEASE HELP!!

Timelady replied: "Impossible to say. Some kids get only one and some have persistent recurring ones even with antibiotics. Make sure she knows to wipe from front to back and no bubble baths. Also avoid swimming pools if she tends to get them frequently, the chlorine is irritating. Other than that, lots of water, some say cranberry juice, but most doctors I know say that's a myth and lots of water is just as good or better."

Callum♂ replied: "Ok, well your first port of call should always be your health care professional. They can diagnose and recommend the most appropriate treatment for your daughter. Cephalexin is a broad spectrum anti-biotic, however, this is a prescription only drug, and you could be doing more harm than good by giving your daughter this drug without a doctor prescribing it. My best advice would be for you to take a visit down to your doctor surgery, and telling them whats wrong."

happydawg replied: "Take her to the doctor. If the bug she is growing is not sensitive to cephalexin, it will not work, and she will need to switch to something else. Most MD's prescribe Levaquin for urinary tract infections. A lot depends on how old your little girl is and is she past puberty. You really need to take her to the doctor."

versantly replied: "continue giving her the meds as prescribed by the pediatrician and make a follow up appointment with a urologist. you might reteach her proper hygeine -wash hands before AND after toileting, wipe front to back, etc. give her lotsa water & avoid sodas, juices, and caffeine."

LINDA R replied: "You need to take your daughter to the doctor, who will confirm the diagnosis and prescribe the correct medication. Never give any medication without a doctor's advice/prescription. It is very important that she take ALL of the medication, exactly as prescribed. Untreated UTI can lead to kidney damage and other serious problems."

How long does it take for Cephalexin to work in the body.? please advise

The mom replied: "Keflex will be detectable in the blood within about an hour of the time you take it, and one entire dose will have been eliminated by the body within 8 hours. So it would begin working rather quickly in the body to eliminate the infection. However, you would not likely notice any difference until about the third day of taking it, as it would take that long to kill enough bacteria for you to feel better. It actually works fast, but you just don't realize it that quickly."

Mitchell W replied: "Take cephalexin tablets or capsules by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets or capsules with a drink of water. You can take cephalexin with or without food. If cephalexin upsets your stomach it may help to take it with food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber"s advice."

Is it ok to extend one day on cephalexin pill? i have a big bump(cyst) on my neck that never goes away for 6 months... i got injections n put acne treatment but it didnt work... i take cephalexin(3 times a day for 10 days) but i dont see any difference... is it ok if i take for one more day? or maybe even two days?

integrity007 replied: "Unfortunately, cephalexin is no longer a good antibiotic for skin infections. These infections are almost always staph or strep. These organisms have been resistant to cephalexin for several years. You may find doxycycline or minocycline to be a much better antibiotic for you infected pustules. Many people need to take these one week every month to keep the skin free of these bacteria or the pustules simply return. These two antibiotics have very little resistance forming due the way they interfere in the bacteria's mulitiplying manner. But, you must watch how much sunlight you get when on these antibiotics and for a few days after. Hope this will help."

Is it ok to extend one day on cephalexin? i have a big bump(cyst) on my neck that never goes away for 6 months... i got injections n put acne treatment but it didnt work... i take cephalexin(3 times a day for 10 days) but i dont see any difference... is it ok if i take for one more day? or maybe even two days?

Typo replied: "sure, no problem"

angrydoc replied: "Antibiotics if they don't work need to be stopped and replaced with another antibiotic. There's no point in extending it if it didn't work for the past 10 days. Go back to your doctor and have him replace the cephalexin."

Does anyone know how many days it takes Cephalexin to releive symptoms of a UTI? My 4yr. old was taking Bactrim Pediatric for six days to cure a UTI. I found out it was not working, so they gave her Cephalexin for ten days. She has only been on it for one day. So, does anyone know how long it will take to releive her symptoms?

Amy J replied: "Usually it takes about 48 hours to begin seeing results from beginning antibiotic therapy. Amy J."

furmanator1957 replied: "can start to relive the symptoms in as little as 24 hrs"

Das replied: "It could start relieving symptoms as soon as the very next day, but make sure you give her the antibiotic for the full 10 days as prescribed otherwise the UTI may return."

Joycee replied: "Depends on the person...24 to 48 hours"

Can cephalexin be taken for a long time? My doctor proscribed me cephalexin for acne about a week ago and it seems to be working quite well. I was wondering if it can be taken indefinitely or at least until it clears up on its own? If so are there any long term side affects?

your friend replied: "why don't you ask your doctor?"

Tied Together With A Smile replied: "I would think that after a period of time, the antibiotics would loose it's effect. They make other pills (such as Accutane) for acne that you can also take. Topical creams would well too. I'm sure that the cephalexin would work for a weeks though."

stephaniedoty1234 replied: "Taking any type of antibiotic long term is never good. Antibiotics not only kill the Bad bacteria, but also your normal flora that maintains you system. Lots of people who take antibiotics for long periods of time can get yeast infections, a intestinal problem called C-Diff, and many others. Chat with your doctor."

GBOY replied: "cephalexin is an antibiotic and being an antibiotic it should be taken for a definite period of time only. the side effects of cephalexin are first, bacterial resistance and then of course effects on the kidney and liver. take it for the prescribed amount of time and then return to your doctor."

tonys replied: "chehalexin is a broad spectrum antibiotic. It should be take as a course. Over taking them may cause super infection. It meens it will kill good bacteria too & the normal flora in the intestines will get disturbed & you can lead to other infections like fungal, etc."

Matthew W replied: "I can answer that. Acne meds can be used as long as 4-6 months at a time. The only issue could be becoming resistant to the antibiotic, but after the weeks to months that you'll be taking it you should kill all the bad germs and left with only the good ones. I just hope that you used all the topical creams first before going to the pill form."

SunnyDeelight replied: "I don't think it would be wise to take an antibiotic indefinitely...it will just weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to infection. Here's a link on info about Cephalexin:"

Robin L replied: "Please take it as prescribed by your doctor. Do NOT take it indefinitely. There are numerous side effects from this medication. Some minor ones u might be able to ignore. But there are serious ones in which you are not able to handle and will regret. Besides, heard of the recent news about super-bugs (MRSA)? Right, they exist because people abuse antibiotics. So if you really think you should take more, make sure contact your doctor about it."

Doctors/Nurses Answer Only: I have Strep Throat (almost certain) will CEPHALEXIN work as an antibiotic? I was given CEPHALEXIN 500 MG Capsule Tev and IBUPROFEN for my tooth but just got Strep Throat (tounge is white, sore throat, fever for 2-3 days, drowsey, body aches) anyways, will this work to take it to get rid of strep? I have no Penicillin

tlbrown42000 replied: "This will kill strep. ."

SAMI replied: "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. Therefore it is not effective for Streptococcal sore throat."

Sean P replied: "CEPHALEX is often prescribed for peolpe who experience penicillin hypersensitivity and isn't usually offered as an initial course of action. The Cephalosporin present disrupt synthesis of the peptidoglycan wall of gram positive organism such as streptococcal pharyngitis. However, you should get a swab done because the strain present in your throat may be viral, in which a new course of action must be taken. Ibuprofen is used to reduce fever and pain, and i'd recommend doing salt gargles as well."

slik replied: "Eat some fresh plain yogurt. lots of probiotic bacteria (with carbs like bread, pasta, or rice). Your antibiotic should work, but if it doesn't the yogurt will work for sure (it might take a little longer, but it'll work). This is the way to kill bacteria that have developed immunity to antibiotics. As far as the antibiotic you describe, they're all the same ..."

The Neurosurgeon replied: "First, yes Cephalexin will destroy staphylacoccal bacterium, Secondly, i agree with one of the above answers, go to your doctor and get a swab taken, it may not be bactrial and you yourself cannot diagnose yourself with a certain type of bacteria, Thirdly, the antibiotics were given for your tooth, so don't use them for anything but that, they will not kill both at the same time, you should see your doctor about your infection and they will prescribe you something for it. Cephalaxin is not usually given as a first line treatment, have you had any other antibiotics before this?"

W W D replied: "If you have a ten day supply and you're going to be taking it for your dental infection anyway, then that's fine. It's a perfectly reasonable alternative. It's less certain that you have strep, though, as a lot of viruses cause the same syndrome. Also, the antibiotics don't more than a few hours' difference in how quickly you get well, even if it is strep. The antibiotics, for a full ten-day course, are prescribed to prevent rheumatic fever, so you'll do yourself a favor by adjusting your expectations. The ibuprofen, though, along with some saline gargles, will help. Also, if the cephalexin was prescribed at some other time and you aren't supposed to be taking it now for the tooth, you shouldn't self-prescribe but get an exam. Your score according to Centor criteria, perhaps along with a throat swab, would be the guidance for whether you should take antibiotics for the sore throat."