Antimicrobials
Cephalexin

Cephalexin

Medium
Moderate
See below under General Info

Dosing

General Information

Hospital Formulary Status Yes (PO solid, PO powder for susp)

In-Hospital Cost will be updated

PharmaCare Formulary Status Yes (PO solid, PO susp)

SA None

PharmaCare Coverage 250mg PO - $0.0935/tab or cap 500mg PO - $0.1869/tab or cap Lupin 125mg/5ml PO susp recon - $0.1777/ml Teva 125mg/5ml PO susp recon - $0.3439/ml Lupin 250mg/5ml PO susp recon - $0.3021/ml Teva 250mg/5ml PO susp recon - $0.6142/ml

Outpatient Cost 250mg PO - $0.10-0.61/tab or cap 500mg PO - $0.18-0.91/tab or cap Lupin 125mg/5ml PO susp recon - $0.16-0.17/ml Teva 125mg/5ml PO susp recon - $0.34-0.38/ml Lupin 250mg/5ml PO susp recon - $0.31-0.33/ml Teva 250mg/5ml PO susp recon - $0.62-0.68/ml

  •  Uncomplicated skin and soft tissue infection
  •  MSSA infections

Allergic reaction (PO)

  • IgE-mediated
  • sx: pruritus, flushing, urticaria, angioedema, wheezing, laryngeal edema, hypotension, and/or anaphylaxis
  • sx usually appear within 4 hrs of administration but may begin within mins

Serum sickness (PO)

  • late allergic reaction
  • sx: fever, rash, adenopathy, arthritis and glomerulonephritis
  • associated with circulating immune complexes

Rash (PO)

  • includes morbilliform rash, erythema multiforme, SJS, exfoliative dermatitis, toxic epidermal necrolysis and vasculitis
  • sx: photosensitivity, skin lesions, mucosal membrane ulceration, erythema, scaling, palpable purpura and/or positive Nikolsky's sign

Note: EBV-related rash - not an allergy

  • morbilliform rash, occurring 48 hrs to weeks after initial amoxicillin exposure in patients with Epstein Barr Virus, does not appear to be a true drug allergy

Increases metformin levels.

Antimicrobial class: 1st Generation Cephalosporin

Pregnancy category: B

Biliary penetration: Moderate

CSF penetration: Poor

Lung penetration: Moderate

Urine penetration: Therapeutic