CEPHALEXINCEPHALEXIN
First Year Student Practical Work by Jenny Williams (Jesus College). Images and Models by Karl Harrison
The full chemical name for cephalexin is 7-Alpha-D-Phenylglyclamino-3-methyl. In its pure form it is a white or cream coloured crystalline powder with a shelf life of around twenty-four months. It can be administered in tablets, capsules, or as a liquid suspension. The two major brand names are Ceporex and Keflex; both of these are manufactured in the USA.
Cephalexin is a member of the cephalosporin group of antibiotics, and is prescribed for a variety of mild infections. It is not as wide ranging in itŐs action as some other antibiotics, but it is useful for treating infections of the respiratory tract as well as skin conditions (including acne) and soft tissue infections. The antibiotic can be prescribed on its own or as a follow up after an injection of a stronger cephalosporin has been administered. It is also used as a low dose antibiotic that can be administered over an extended period of time. It is a fairly short acting antibiotic and therefore is not as convenient as some others because it must be taken fairly frequently (every four hours).
The
side effects of the pure drug are usually fairly mild, and the danger of overdose
is low. However, it can be administered as one of several preparations including
cephalexin hydrochloride monohydrate, which can have more severe side effects
including nephrotoxicity and cholstatic jaundice. Added to this, the safety
of some of these preparations has not been fully determined for use in children.
Recent tests have also been carried out to ascertain the suitability of the
drug for use in veterinary practices.