While the use of both at the same time is not contraindicated, patients should be monitored. Patients with a penicillin allergy should not take amoxicillin. There is evidence to suggest that patients with a penicillin allergy may also have a cross-sensitivity to cephalosporins, including cephalexin.
Caution should be used when prescribing cephalexin in penicillin-allergic patients with no prior use of cephalosporins. Pseudomembranous colitis is a rare but serious condition. It involves the swelling and inflammation of the colon due to an overgrowth of clostridium difficile. Pseudomembranous colitis can occur with a variety of antibiotics, including cephalexin and amoxicillin. Cephalexin and amoxicillin are renally excreted. Patients with decreased or impaired renal function must have their doses adjusted accordingly.
Cephalexin is considered pregnancy category B, meaning that animal studies have not shown any teratogenic effects. It is considered generally safe in pregnancy.
Cephalexin crosses into breast milk but is generally considered safe while breastfeeding. Amoxicillin is also considered pregnancy category B. Amoxicillin crosses into breast milk but is also considered safe while breastfeeding. Cephalexin is a first-generation, cephalosporin antibiotic. It belongs to a bigger classification of antibiotics known as beta-lactam antibiotics. It is generally effective against bacteria involved in upper and lower respiratory tract infections, otitis media, mastitis, and skin, bone, and joint infections.
Amoxicillin is a penicillin derivative antibiotic. It is generally effective against bacteria involved in upper and lower respiratory tract infections, otitis, media, and skin infections. While cephalexin and amoxicillin are each beta-lactam antibiotics, they are not the same. Cephalexin is a cephalosporin antibiotic, and amoxicillin is a penicillin derivative. While they cover some of the same bacterial organisms, they each cover unique organisms. There are many factors to choosing the most effective antibiotic for any infection.
While one study showed that amoxicillin may be associated with more relapses of strep pharyngitis versus cephalexin, it remains in the treatment guidelines as the first-line treatment. Cephalexin and amoxicillin are considered safe during pregnancy. There is no known harm to the fetus despite the fact that both drugs cross the placenta.
While there is no contraindication to taking these antibiotics while consuming alcohol, patients should be aware that alcohol consumption may increase the risk of gastrointestinal side effects. When dosed appropriately, both antibiotics are effective against their covered organisms. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. I'm worried that I might be sick with something other than acute bronchitis.
My cough is pretty bad, and I think antibiotics could help me relieve it. I'm willing to take the risk that antibiotics won't work the next time I really need them.
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers.
You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. Will antibiotics help you feel better faster when you have acute bronchitis?
Can home treatment relieve most symptoms of acute bronchitis? Is there anyone who can benefit from taking antibiotics for acute bronchitis? Can you take antibiotics as often as you feel you need to and still have them work every time?
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: E. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.
Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. Bronchitis: Should I Take Antibiotics? Get the facts. Your options Take antibiotics for acute bronchitis. Don't take antibiotics. Try home treatment instead. Key points to remember Bronchitis is usually caused by a virus and often follows a cold or flu.
Antibiotics usually do not help acute bronchitis, and they may be harmful. Experts recommend that you not use antibiotics to try to relieve symptoms of acute bronchitis if you have no other health problems. Taking antibiotics too often or when you don't need them can be harmful. Not taking the full course of antibiotics when your doctor prescribes them also can be harmful. The medicine may not work the next time you take it when you really do need it.
This is called antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics may help prevent complications from acute bronchitis in people who have other problems, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD , other long-term breathing problems such as asthma or cystic fibrosis , or heart failure.
What is acute bronchitis? What causes acute bronchitis? What are the risks of acute bronchitis? If you have no other health problems, acute bronchitis poses little risk. It's most likely to develop if you have a long-term chronic disease, such as: COPD.
Cystic fibrosis. Heart failure. Treatment for people with these health problems depends on their condition. Antibiotics can have side-effects, sometimes serious. Taking antibiotics also increases antibiotic resistance, which means that antibiotics may not work as well in the future.
The researchers did a systematic review , searching for studies available up to January They found 17 randomized controlled trials with people, including children, adolescents, and adults. Compared with placebo or control, antibiotics:. In people with acute bronchitis, antibiotics reduce duration of cough and feelings of illness by half a day.
They do not increase overall clinical improvement. Side-effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are increased. Clinical improvement having no limitations or being cured or being improved overall. This means that the differences could simply be due to chance rather than due to the different treatments. Help us to continue to provide direct and easy access to evidence-based information on health and social conditions to help you stay healthy, active and engaged as you grow older.
Try to space the doses evenly throughout the day. If you take it 3 times a day, this could be first thing in the morning, mid-afternoon and at bedtime. Keep taking this medicine until you've completed the course, even if you feel better. If you stop your treatment early, the infection could come back. Capsules or tablets — swallow whole with a drink of water. Do not chew or break them. Liquid — if you or your child are taking cefalexin as a liquid, it will usually be made up for you by a pharmacist.
The medicine will come with a plastic syringe or medicine spoon to help you measure the right dose. If you do not have one, ask a pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Try to leave a gap of at least 4 hours between doses. Never take 2 doses at the same time.
Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one. If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask a pharmacist for advice on other ways to remember your medicines. Accidentally taking 1 extra dose of cefalexin is unlikely to harm you or your child. Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if you're worried or you take 2 extra doses or more. Like all medicines, cefalexin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
Fewer than 1 in people may have an allergic reaction to cefalexin. In most cases, the allergic reaction is mild. Keep taking the medicine, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away:. In rare cases, cefalexin can cause a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis. You could be having a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital. These are not all the side effects of cefalexin.
For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicine packet. You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme. It's usually safe to take cefalexin during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. For safety, tell your doctor if you're trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or if you're breastfeeding.
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