Cephalexin (Keflex) is a cephalosporin antibiotic.

Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.

Take Cephalexin (Keflex) exactly as directed.

Although side effects from Cephalexin (Keflex) are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

diarrhea
difficulty breathing or swallowing
hives
itching
mild skin rash
painful mouth or throat sores
severe skin rash
sore throat
unusual bleeding or bruising
upset stomach
vaginal infection
vomiting
wheezing

Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Metformin because its actions and the risks of its side effects may be increased by Cephalexin (Keflex)
Probenecid because it may increase the actions and the risk of Keflex 's side effects
Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of side effects such as bleeding may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Cephalexin (Keflex) may interact with other medicines that you take.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substance

if you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, dizziness) to a penicillin (eg, amoxicillin) or other beta-lactam antibiotic (eg, imipenem)

if you have stomach or bowel problems (eg, inflammation), blood clotting problems, kidney or liver problems, or poor nutrition

Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Cephalexin (Keflex) is used in treating certain bacterial infections.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Store the capsules and tablets at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture.

Diabetes patients - Cephalexin (Keflex) may cause the results of some tests for urine glucose to be wrong. Ask your doctor before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetes medicine.

Cephalexin (Keflex) may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Keflex .

Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding.