Cephalexin is a type of antibiotic medication that is used to treat bacterial infections in various parts of the body. It belongs to a group of medications called cephalosporin antibiotics. Cephalexin is used to treat infections of the bone, skin, ears, respiratory tract, urinary tract, and genital tract. It works by killing bacteria. Cephalexin comes in the form of capsules, tablets, and suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food every 6 or 12 hours for 7 to 14 days, depending on the condition being treated. It is important to take cephalexin exactly as directed by the doctor. Cephalexin is not effective against viral infections such as colds and flu.

It is important to note that antibiotics such as cephalexin should only be used to treat bacterial infections and not for viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases the risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.

If you are allergic to cephalexin or other cephalosporin antibiotics, such as cefaclor, cefadroxil, cefazolin, cefdinir, cefditoren, cefpodoxime, cefprozil, ceftibuten, or cefuroxime, you should not use this medication. Before taking cephalexin, it is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or to penicillins or other cephalosporins, or if you have any other allergies. It is also important to tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions such as kidney disease, liver disease, or stomach/intestinal disease.