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What Is Cephalexin Used For?
Cephalexin is typically used to treat bacterial infections and prevent heart valve infections. Bacterial infections that cephalexin can treat are sinus infections, irritations of the prostate, and skin infections (like cellulitis). Cephalexin is used for infants and children to treat the same infections seen in adults. It may also be given to people who are allergic to penicillin.
Cephalexin (Keflex®, Biocef®) is a prescription antibiotic licensed to treat a number of infections. Some of these cephalexin uses include:
- Treatment of bacterial infections
- Prevention of heart valve infections (bacterial endocarditis).
Bacterial Infections
Cephalexin is most commonly used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Some of these types of infections may include:
- Respiratory tract infection, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, strep throat, or tonsillitis
- Bone infection (osteomyelitis)
- Middle ear infection (otitis media)
- Sinus infection (sinusitis)
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Irritation of the prostate (prostatitis)
- Skin infection, such as cellulitis, folliculitis, or impetigo.
Cephalexin may be used to treat a number of other bacterial infections. In addition, it can be substituted in place of penicillin to treat common infections in those people who are allergic to penicillin. It should be noted, however, that there is a small chance that people who are allergic to penicillin will also be allergic to cephalexin or to other cephalosporins.
Cephalexin is not effective against any infection caused by a virus, such as the flu, stomach flu, or common cold.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD