Cefalexin 250 Mg Film-Coated Tablets
PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER
Cefalexin Tablets 250 mg Cefalexin Tablets 500 mg
(cefalexin monohydrate)
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 or pharmacist.
- 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.
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
Cefalexin Tablets contain cefalexin as the active ingredient, which belongs to a class of antibiotics called ‘cephalosporins’. The tablets are used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. These include infections of the airways from nose to lungs ear, bones and joints, and urine or reproduction systems, incuding inflammation of the prostate gland. They are also used to treat dental infections.
2. BEFORE YOU TAKE CEFALEXIN TABLETS
Do not take Cefalexin Tablets if you have:
• an allergy (hypersensitivity) to the cephalosporin or penicillin group of antibiotics, or to any of the ingredients in the product (see Section 6).
• porphyria; a hereditary metabolic disorder.
Take special care with Cefalexin Tablets if you have:
• kidney problems.
• inflammation of the large intestine, symptoms include: diarrhoea, pain and fever.
You should be aware that Cefalexin Tablets may give a false result for:
• certain blood tests
• tests for glucose in the urine.
Taking other medicines
Please inform your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including those obtained without a prescription.
In particular, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
• other antibiotics, especially amphotericin, capreomycin, vancomycin, or an aminoglycoside -a broad spectrum antibiotic (for example, gentamicin or neomycin)
• diuretics (water tablets) such as furosemide, bumetanide or probenecid for gout.
Taking Cefalexin Tablets with food and drink
These tablets may be taken before, during or after your meals. Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Ask your doctor for advice before taking any medicine if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Cefalexin passes into breast milk, so tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
Driving and using machines
Cefalexin Tablets are not expected to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
3. HOW TO TAKE CEFALEXIN TABLETS
The doctor will decide on the most appropriate dose for you, based on the nature and severity of your infection. The label will tell you how many tablets you need to take as well as how often to take them.
Swallow the tablets whole with water.
Adults: The usual dose is 500 mg every 8 hours, although your doctor may tell you to take 1g to 4g a day, split up into smaller doses.
Elderly: You should take the normal adult dose, unless you have severe kidney problems, when the maximum daily dose will be 500 mg.
Children over 5 years: Your doctor will calculate the correct dose, depending on the child’s weight. The usual daily dose is 250 mg to 500 mg for each kilogram of their weight, and is usually split up into smaller amounts taken every 8 or 12 hours. If your child is taking Cefalexin Tablets for ear infections, he or she may have to take 75 mg to 100 mg for each kilogram of their weight, split up into smaller doses throughout the day.
This medicine is not recommended for use in children under 5 years of age.
Use all the tablets your doctor has given you. Do not stop taking them, even if you feel better
If you take more Cefalexin Tablets than you should
Contact your doctor or nearest hospital casualty department immediately for advice if you or a child have swallowed too many tablets. Take this leaflet, the pack or any tablets with you, if you can.
If you forget to take Cefalexin Tablets
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time to take the next dose, skip the missed dose and carry on as before. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
, POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, Cefalexin Tablets can cause side effects, although
not everyone gets them.
Tell your doctor at once if you notice any of these rare side effects:
• rash, fever, itchy skin, swelling of the lips, eyes, tongue, or difficulty in breathing normally are signs of an allergic reaction. Stop taking the tablets immediately.
• flaky skin, red or purple inflamed skin patches; pus in your eyes; blisters in your nose or mouth.
• blood disorders (if you bruise more easily, have a sore throat, fever or a chill).
• lower gut pain, nausea, vomiting, severe diarrhoea containing blood or mucus. Colitis (inflammation of the colon) can also occur during or after treatment.
• liver damage, for example jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of eyes).
• nephritis (inflamed kidneys).
Tell your doctor if you suffer from any of the following for more than a
few days:
• feeling or being sick, heartburn, stomach pain, diarrhoea
• skin rashes
• dizziness, tiredness, headache, sleep disorders, nervousness
• feeling confused or agitated, hallucinations, extreme restlessness
• painful or swollen joints, extreme muscle tension
• itching around the anus or genitals, inflamed vagina, discharge from the vagina.
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side
effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor.
5. HOW TO STORE CEFALEXIN TABLETS
KEEP OUT OF SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN.
Do not store above 25 °C.
Store Cefalexin Tablets in their original package and keep containers tightly closed.
Do not use the tablets after the expiry ‘EXP’ date which is printed on the carton (the expiry date refers to the last day of the month stated).
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household-waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. FURTHER INFORMATION
What Cefalexin Tablets contain
The active ingredient is cefalexin, 250 mg or 500 mg.
The other ingredients are pregelatinised starch, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate (E572) and microcrystalline cellulose (E460). The coating contains hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (E464), polyethylene glycol (E1521), titanium dioxide (E171) and erythrosine lake (E127).
What Cefalexin Tablets look like and contents of the pack
Cefalexin Tablets are round, pink and film-coated, embossed with ‘CHX 250’ (250mg) or ‘CHX 500’ (500mg) on one face.
They are available in tubular container with a temper evident tear strip or in blisters containing 7, 14, 20, 21,28, 30, 50, 56, 60, 100 or 500 tablets. They are available in bulk packs of 30, 50, 100 and 500 tablets (Not all pack sizes may be marketed).
Cefalexin 250mg Tablets : PL 21880/0080 Cefalexin 500mg Tablets : PL 21880/0083
This leaflet was last revised in 09/05/2013
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer MEDREICH PLC
Warwick House, Plane Tree Crescent,
Feltham TW13 7HF, UK E-mail: info@medreich.co.uk
1211507