From the Guidelines
Keflex (cephalexin) should be prescribed at 20 mg per kg per dose twice daily (maximum = 500 mg per dose) for 10 days in patients with penicillin allergy. This dosage is based on the strongest and most recent evidence available, specifically the 2013 IDSA guideline update for managing group A streptococcal pharyngitis 1.
Key Considerations
- The recommended dosage is weight-based, with a maximum dose of 500 mg per dose, twice daily.
- The treatment duration is 10 days, which is consistent with other antibiotic treatments for similar infections.
- It is essential to note that this dosage is specifically for patients with penicillin allergy, and the dosage may vary for other patient populations.
Important Details
- Keflex works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis, making it effective against many gram-positive bacteria and some gram-negative organisms.
- Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and potential allergic reactions.
- Those with penicillin allergies should use caution as cross-reactivity can occur.
- Always take Keflex as prescribed by your healthcare provider, as dosing needs may vary based on your specific condition and medical history.
Additional Information
- Other antibiotics, such as amoxicillin and penicillin V, may be prescribed at different dosages and durations, depending on the specific infection and patient population 1.
- It is crucial to complete the full prescribed course of antibiotics, even if symptoms improve before finishing the medication, to ensure effective treatment and prevent antibiotic resistance.
From the FDA Drug Label
The adult dosage ranges from 1 to 4 g daily in divided doses. The usual adult dose is 250 mg every 6 hours For the following infections, a dosage of 500 mg may be administered every 12 hours: streptococcal pharyngitis, skin and skin structure infections, and uncomplicated cystitis in patients over 15 years of age. For more severe infections or those caused by less susceptible organisms, larger doses may be needed If daily doses of cephalexin greater than 4 g are required, parenteral cephalosporins, in appropriate doses, should be considered. The usual recommended daily dosage for pediatric patients is 25 to 50 mg/kg in divided doses
The recommended dosage of Keflex for infection is:
- Adults: 250 mg every 6 hours or 500 mg every 12 hours for certain infections
- Pediatric patients: 25 to 50 mg/kg in divided doses 2
From the Research
Keflex Dosage for Infection
- The recommended dosage of Keflex (cephalexin) for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTIs) is 500 mg twice daily or 500 mg four times daily 3.
- A study comparing twice-daily and four-times-daily dosing regimens of cephalexin for uUTIs found no significant difference in treatment failure rates between the two groups 3.
- Cephalexin can be administered as 500 mg twice or thrice daily for the treatment of uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections (uLUTIs) 4.
- For skin and soft-tissue infections, cephalexin has been shown to be effective in twice-daily dosages, with cure rates of 90% or higher 5.
- The dosage regimen for cefpodoxime proxetil, another antibiotic, is 200 mg twice daily for mild to moderate skin and soft tissue infections, and 400 mg twice daily for severe infections 6.
- It's worth noting that the dosage and administration of antibiotics like amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid may vary depending on the specific infection and patient population 7.
- Cephalexin is comparable to other antibiotics, such as erythromycin, clindamycin, and dicloxacillin, in the treatment of streptococcal and staphylococcal infections 5.