An Introduction to Cephalexin Drug Interactions
Cephalexin (
Keflex®,
Biocef®) can interact with a number of medicines. These cephalexin drug interactions can include, but are not limited to:
- Probenecid (Benemid®, Probalan®)
- Aminoglycosides, such as amikacin, gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin, streptomycin, and tobramycin
- Metformin (Glucophage®, Fortamet®, Glumetza™)
- Live, attenuated typhoid vaccine.
Cephalexin Interactions Explained
The following sections explain in detail the potentially negative interactions that can occur when cephalexin is taken with any of the drugs listed above.
Probenecid
If you are taking both cephalexin and probenecid, your body may metabolize the drugs differently than intended and significantly increase the amount of cephalexin in your system. As a result, your healthcare provider may choose to monitor your progress and adjust your dosage accordingly.
Aminoglycosides
If cephalexin and an aminoglycoside antibiotic are taken together, the combination may result in increased kidney damage. Your healthcare provider may choose to monitor your progress and adjust your dosage accordingly to prevent this interaction.