The cephalexin dosage for bacterial infections ranges from 250 mg to 1000 mg, taken four times a day for 7 to 14 days. When preventing bacterial endocarditis, 2000 mg is taken an hour before surgery. Dosing for children depends on the child's body weight; in general, children should be limited to 4000 mg or less per day. Your cephalexin dosage should be taken at the same time each day with a full glass of water.
Cephalexin Dosage: An Introduction
The dose of
cephalexin (
Keflex®,
Biocef®) that your healthcare provider prescribes will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- The medical condition you are being treated for
- Your age
- If you have decreased kidney function
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you are currently taking.
As always, do not adjust your cephalexin dosage unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Cephalexin Dosage for Bacterial Infections
The recommended dose of cephalexin for most types of bacterial infections is 250 mg to 1000 mg, taken four times a day for 7 to 14 days. For chronic or more serious infections, your healthcare provider may continue treatment for a longer period of time.
In children, the cephalexin dosage can range, depending on body weight, from 25 mg to 100 mg per kilogram of body weight per day (mg/kg/day). The dose is divided and taken three to four times a day for 7 to 14 days. Children should generally be limited to 4000 mg or less per day.
Cephalexin Dosage for Preventing Bacterial Endocarditis
The recommended dose of cephalexin for the prevention of bacterial endocarditis in adults is 2000 mg, taken one hour before a surgical procedure is performed.
The recommended dosage in children is 50 mg per kilogram of body weight, up to a maximum of 2000 mg, taken one hour before a surgical procedure is performed.
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