Antimicrobials
Cephalexin

Cephalexin

Low
Excellent (90 to 100%)
$ (<$25/day)

Spectrum of Activity

Dosing

General Information

  • Multivitamins/Minerals: May decrease the serum concentration of Cephalexin. Specifically, the zinc contained in many multivitamins may decrease cephalexin absorption. Management: Consider administering multivitamins at least 3 hours after cephalexin.
  • Zinc Salts: May decrease the absorption of Cephalexin. Management: Consider administering oral zinc salts at least 3 hours after cephalexin.
  • Absorption: Rapid (90%)
  • Distribution: Widely into most body tissues and fluids, including gallbladder, liver, kidneys, bone, sputum, bile, and pleural and synovial fluids; CSF penetration is poor
  • Protein binding: 10% to 15%
  • Half-life elimination: 0.5-1.2 hrs
  • Time to peak, serum: ~1 hour
  • Excretion: Urine (>90% as unchanged drug)