CEFALEXIN 500MG TABLETS

PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER

Cefalexin Tablets 250mg or 500mg
(cefalexin)
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start
taking this medicine.
• Keep this leaflet.You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor,
pharmacist or dentist (if the medicine has been
prescribed by your dentist).
• This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not
pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their
symptoms are the same as yours.
• If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice
any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your
doctor, pharmacist or dentist (if the medicine has been
prescribed by your dentist).

In this leaflet:
1. What Cefalexin Tablets are and what they
are used for
2. Before you take Cefalexin Tablets
3. How to take Cefalexin Tablets
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Cefalexin Tablets
6. Further information
1. What Cefalexin Tablets are and what they
are used for
The name of your medicine is Cefalexin Tablets.
This medicine belongs to a family of medicines called
antibiotics. Antibiotics are used to kill the bacteria or
“germs” which cause infections.

Your doctor, or dentist, will have prescribed this
medicine for treating an infection. Cefalexin Tablets are
used for treating a variety of infections including chest
(respiratory tract), urinary tract, skin and soft tissues, ear,
and other infections.

2. Before you take Cefalexin Tablets

Do not take this medicine before telling your doctor if:
• You are allergic to cefalexin or other antibiotics and
medicines.
• You are allergic to any of the other ingredients in this
medicine.
Take special care with Cefalexin Tablets:
• You are pregnant or breast-feeding. Your doctor will
decide whether it is safe for you to take this medicine
while you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
• You have problems with your kidneys.
• You test your urine for glucose using a method which
is not based on glucose oxidation reactions as this
medicine might give a false positive result.
• You are taking oral contraceptives. Cefalexin may
reduce the efficacy of oral contraceptives and you
may need additional contraceptive measures whilst
taking this medicine.

Taking other medicines
Please inform your doctor if you are taking or have
recently taken any other medicines, even those not
prescribed, particularly:
• Uricosuric drugs (medicines used to treat gout and
other conditions which require lowering of blood uric
acid levels, e.g. probenecid).
• Diuretics (medicines which reduce water retention
by increasing the volume of urine, e.g. furosemide,
ethacrynic acid).
• Anticoagulants (medicines that prevent the clotting
of blood, e.g. warfarin).
• Any other antibiotics (eg. aminoglycosides,
polymyxin, colistin).
• If you are taking metformin (a medicine used to treat
diabetes).
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking
any medicine.
Driving and using machines
Do not drive or operate machine if this medicine affects
your ability to drive or to use machines.
Important information about some of the
ingredients of Cefalexin
This medicine contains lactose. If you have been told
by your doctor you have an intolerance to some sugars,
contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

3. How to take Cefalexin Tablets

Each dose should be swallowed with a drink of water.
Try to space the doses as evenly as possible throughout
the day. For example, if you have
been told to take Cefalexin Tablets three times a day in 8
hour intervals, then:
• Take your first dose when you wake up, e.g. 7.00 am
• Take your next dose mid-afternoon, e.g. 3.00 pm
• Take your last dose just before you go to bed, e.g.
11.00 pm
If you have been told to take our medicine four times a
day in approximately 6 hour intervals, then:
• Take your first dose when you wake up, e.g. 6.00 am
• Take your second dose around noon, e.g. 12.00 pm
• Take your third dose early evening, e.g. 6.00 pm
• Take your last dose when you go to bed, e.g. 11.00
pm
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will tell you how much to take and how
often. Do not take more than the dose your doctor has
recommended.

If any of the above apply to you or you are unsure, please
talk to your doctor before taking the tablets.

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Adults
The usual dose for adults is 1-4g daily in divided doses.
For most infections the dose will be 500mg (2 x 250mg
tablets or 1 x 500mg tablet) every 8 hours. This may
vary depending on the type of infection you have. For
example a dose of 250mg (1 x 250mg tablet) taken
every 6 hours or 500mg (2 x 250mg tablets or 1 x 500mg
tablet) every 12 hours is used to treat skin, soft tissue,
throat or urinary tract infections, or those caused by
less susceptible organisms.
Elderly
The dosage for the elderly is the same as for adults, but
may be reduced if you have poor kidney function.
Children
For most infections, the usual dose is; 125mg (half a
250mg tablet) every 8 hours for children under 5 years,
or 250mg (1 x 250mg tablet) every 8 hours for children 5
years and over.
For skin and soft tissue infections, urinary tract infections
and sore/dry throat caused by bacterial infections,
the total daily dose may be divided and administered
every 12 hours. In severe infections the dosage may be
doubled, for certain infections such as ear infections
doses even higher than double the normal above may
be required. Infections caused by certain bacteria may
require treatment for at least 10 days.
Keep taking your medicine until the course is finished.
Do not stop taking your medicine just because you feel
better. If you stop too soon the infection may start up
again
If your symptoms persist, tell your doctor
If you take more Cefalexin Tablets than you should
Always take your medicine as recommended by your
doctor. If you take too much medicine, tell your doctor
immediately or go to your local hospital emergency
department
If you forget to take Cefalexin Tablets.
If you miss a dose, take another as soon as you
remember and then carry on as before. Do not take a
double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

4. Possible side effects

All medicines sometimes cause unwanted effects in
some people. Tell your doctor if you think your medicine
is making you feel unwell or if you get any of the
following side effects;
An allergic reaction which may occur as
• a rash on your skin (which might be severe)
• sudden wheeziness or tightness of the chest
• swelling of your eyelids, lips or face
• skin lumps and hives
If you think you are having an allergic reaction stop
taking your medicine and tell your doctor immediately
or go to your hospital emergency department as severe
allergic reactions may require emergency treatment.
• A feeling of sickness or being sick
• Diarrhoea (which may be bloody) or stomach pains
• Reversible liver disorder or jaundice (yellowing of the
skin and eyes)
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Itching around the genitals or anus
Thrush or discharge from the vagina
Dizziness
Tiredness
Headache
Agitation, confusion and hallucinations
Pain or swelling in the joints
Kidney disorders or blood disorders, including an
increase or decrease in the number of white blood
cells, and a decrease in the number of platelets.
Symptoms of blood disorders include tiredness, sore
throat, bruising easily and susceptibility to infection

If you experience these or any other unusual or
unexpected symptoms, tell your doctor or pharmacist

5. How to store Cefalexin Tablets

Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of
children.
Blister packs - Store in the original packaging, in order to
protect the tablets from the light and moisture.
Plastic containers - Keep the container tightly closed, in
order to protect the capsules
from light and moisture.
Do not store above 25°C.
Your medicine should not be used after the expiry date
printed on the pack.
Unless your doctor advises otherwise, any unused
medicine should be returned to your
local pharmacist for safe disposal.

6. Further information

What Cefalexin Tablets contains:
The active ingredient of Cefalexin Tablets is either 250mg
or 500mg of cefalexin. The film-coated tablets also
contain magnesium stearate, povidone (E1201), sodium
starch glycollate, macrogol 6000, lactose, saccharin
sodium (E954), talc (E553b) and peppermint oil. The
tablet coating contains titanium dioxide (E171) and
hypromellose (E464).
Cefalexin Tablets 250mg come in plastic containers of 20,
21, 28, 50, 100 and 500 and
blister packs of 20, 21 and 28 tablets.
Cefalexin Tablets 500mg come in plastic containers of 12,
15, 20, 21, 24, 28, 50, 100,
250 and 500 tablets, and blister packs of 14, 15, 20, 21,
28, 30 and 56 tablets.
Cefalexin Tablets 250mg are round, film-coated and
white to yellowish in colour. The tablets are scored on
one side and have “CX” above the score and “250” below.
The unscored side is without markings.
Cefalexin Tablets 500mg are oblong, film-coated and
white to yellowish in colour. The tablets are scored on
each side.
Product licence holder and manufacturer:
Sandoz GmbH, A 6250 Kundl, Tirol, Austria.
This leaflet was last revised in 08/2008.

Actavis, Barnstaple, EX32 8NS, UK