From the Guidelines
For treating septic bursitis, cephalexin is typically prescribed at a dosage of 500 mg orally four times daily (or 1 gram twice daily) for 7-10 days in adults with normal renal function, as recommended by the Infectious Diseases Society of America 1. The duration of treatment may be extended to 14 days depending on clinical response. Children should receive 25-50 mg/kg/day divided into four doses.
- Treatment should begin promptly after obtaining wound cultures but before results are available.
- Cephalexin works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis and is effective against many gram-positive organisms commonly causing septic bursitis, particularly Staphylococcus aureus.
- Patients should complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve before completion.
- If there's no improvement within 48-72 hours, reevaluation is necessary as drainage of the bursa may be required or the antibiotic might need to be changed based on culture results.
- Adequate hydration should be maintained during treatment, and the medication should be taken with food if stomach upset occurs. It's essential to follow the guidelines and adjust the treatment according to the patient's response and renal function, as cephalexin dosage may need to be adjusted in patients with renal impairment 1.
From the Research
Cephalexin Dosage and Duration for Septic Bursitis
- The recommended dosage and duration of cephalexin for treating septic bursitis are not explicitly stated in the provided studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, the studies suggest that the treatment of septic bursitis typically involves antibiotics, and the duration of treatment can vary depending on the severity of the condition and the patient's response to therapy 2, 4, 5.
- One study found that the majority of patients (80%) required initial intravenous therapy for an average duration of 11 days (range: 5-21 days) 2.
- Another study reported that antibiotic treatment averaged 19 days, compared with 24 days in a series in which suction-irrigation was not used 4.
- A study on cloxacillin-based therapy in severe septic bursitis found that patients were treated with intravenous antibiotics for a duration that varied depending on the severity of the condition, with some patients receiving treatment for several weeks 5.
- The optimal duration of antibiotic therapy for septic bursitis is not defined, and most cases are due to infection with Staphylococcus aureus, although many other pathogens can also cause this infection 6.
- Cephalexin is a suitable antibiotic for treating septic bursitis, given its antimicrobial spectrum and pharmacological properties 3.
- Patients with creatinine clearances less than 30 ml/min require a reduction in cephalexin dosage, which should be proportional to the reduced function 3.