Sometimes when you go to a doctor for an illness like a fever, cough, or cold, they prescribe you an antibiotic, right? Especially for a small child, most of the time this kind of medicine comes in the form of a syrup. Cephalexin is one such antibiotic syrup that is widely used in our country. So, today we will talk about what we need to be careful about when using this medicine, what happens to it, and how to use it correctly.
Simply put, what is Cephalexin?
Cephalexin is a medicine that is used to treat infections caused by bacteria . It belongs to a class of antibiotics called cephalosporins. The important thing to note here is that this medicine only works on bacterial infections.
Imagine, there are two types of germs that cause diseases in our bodies, bacteria and viruses. These are two different things. Cephalexin can only kill bacteria. That means, this medicine will not cure any diseases caused by viruses, such as the common cold and flu. Therefore, the doctor prescribed this medicine only in cases where he suspected a bacterial infection.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before using Cephalexin, it is important to tell your doctor about your or your child's health conditions, as the dosage or type of medication you are given may change based on that information.
| Your situation | Why should you inform the doctor? |
|---|---|
| Allergies to medications | Be sure to mention any previous allergies, especially to penicillin or other cephalosporins. Also mention any allergies to any other medications, foods, or preservatives. |
| Kidney or liver disease | If you have poor kidney or liver function, your dosage may need to be adjusted, as this can affect the process of removing the medication from the body. |
| Stomach or intestinal diseases (e.g., colitis) | If you have previously had inflammation in the intestines, some antibiotics may aggravate those conditions. |
| Bleeding disorders | Some medications can affect the blood clotting process, so it is important to inform your doctor about this. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | It is essential to seek medical advice before taking any medication during pregnancy. |
| If the baby is breastfed | Since medications can be transmitted to the baby through breast milk, the doctor should be informed about this. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
Instructions for using the medicine
- Shake well: Cephalexin Suspension is a liquid suspension that contains a powder. Therefore, you should shake the bottle well before giving it to your child each time. Otherwise, the powder may settle to the bottom of the bottle, resulting in an incorrect dose.
- Accurate measurement: You should measure the exact dose prescribed by your doctor. Use the special measuring spoon, oral syringe, or dropper that comes with the medicine. Do not use regular teaspoons at home, as their measurements are not accurate.
- Before or after food?: This medicine can be taken before or after food. However, if you sometimes feel stomach discomfort or nausea, taking the medicine with food can reduce that discomfort.
- Take the full course: This is the most important thing. Even if you or your child feels better after a few days, you should finish the course of treatment prescribed by your doctor. Otherwise, if you stop taking the medication, the remaining bacteria in your body can become stronger and cause the infection to get worse. Not only that, but the remaining bacteria can also develop antibiotic resistance.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never double a dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you accidentally take more than the prescribed dose, do not panic and immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately.
Things to be especially careful about when taking medication
You should be aware of certain symptoms while using this medicine.
- If symptoms do not improve: If symptoms do not improve or worsen after a few days of starting the medication, inform your doctor.
- Diarrhea: Some people may experience diarrhea while taking antibiotics. However, if it lasts for more than two days, is watery, or is accompanied by a fever, talk to your doctor immediately, rather than taking over-the-counter medications.
- Serious skin reactions: This is a rare but important thing to be aware of. If you develop red or purple patches on your skin a few weeks after starting the medication, along with a fever or flu-like illness, which later blister and peel, or if you have swelling of the face, lips, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpits, this could be a serious condition. If you notice any of these, seek medical advice immediately.
- For people with diabetes: If you have diabetes, you may get a false-positive result in a urine sugar test while taking this medication. So talk to your doctor about it.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, Cephalexin can cause side effects in some people. Although most of these are not serious, there are some things to be aware of.
| Classification of side effects | |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| Serious skin reactions | Skin redness, blistering, peeling (even inside the mouth). |
| Severe diarrhea and fever | Severe diarrhea, like water, accompanied by fever. |
| Changes in the vagina in women | Unusual discharge, itching, or odor. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Diarrhea | Mild abdominal distension. |
| Headache | Common headache. |
| Nausea | Discomfort such as vomiting. |
How to store the medicine?
- Store in the refrigerator: After you get Cephalexin syrup from the pharmacy , store it in the refrigerator door or in a suitable compartment. Do not store it in the freezer.
- Discard after 14 days: This is also very important. After 14 days from the time you get the medicine from the pharmacy, be sure to throw away the bottle, even if there is still medicine left in it. After 14 days, the effectiveness of the medicine in it may decrease.
- Keep away from children: As with any medicine, keep this one out of the reach of children and pets.
Take-Home Message
- Cephalexin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. It will not treat the common cold or flu.
- Before starting the medication, be sure to tell your doctor about any allergies and other medical conditions you have.
- Before giving the medicine to your child, shake the bottle well and measure the dose using the appropriate measuring device.
- Even if you feel better, finish taking the medicine for the full number of days prescribed by the doctor.
- If you notice any symptoms such as severe skin irritation, swelling, or severe diarrhea, notify your doctor immediately.
- Keep the medicine bottle in the refrigerator. Throw away any leftovers after 14 days from the time you get them from the pharmacy.
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