Cephalexin

Usual Dosing (Adults)

Adults
The adult dosage ranges from 1 to 4 g daily in divided doses. The usual adult dose is 250 mg every 6 hours. For the following infections, a dosage of 500 mg may be administered every 12 hours: streptococcal pharyngitis, skin and skin structure infections, and uncomplicated cystitis in patients over 15 years of age. Cystitis therapy should be continued for 7 to 14 days. For more severe infections or those caused by less susceptible organisms, larger doses may be needed. If daily doses of Cephalexin Capsules, USP greater than 4 g are required, parenteral cephalosporins, in appropriate doses, should be considered.

Pediatric Patients
Cephalexin Oral Suspension may be better suited for certain dosages in the pediatric population.

The usual recommended daily dosage for pediatric patients is 25 to 50 mg/kg in divided doses. For streptococcal pharyngitis in patients over 1 year of age and for skin and skin structure infections, the total daily dose may be divided and administered every 12 hours.

In severe infections, the dosage may be doubled.

In the therapy of otitis media, clinical studies have shown that a dosage of 75 to 100 mg/kg/day in 4 divided doses is required.

In the treatment of β-hemolytic streptococcal infections, a therapeutic dosage of Cephalexin Capsules, USP should be administered for at least 10 days.

Renal Dosing

[CRCL >30 ]: no changes.

[10-30 ]: 250-500 mg q8-12h.

[<10 ml/min]: 250-500mg q12-24h.

Hemodialysis

250-500mg q12-24h (Dose should be given after dialysis on dialysis days).

Reference(s)

National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed Database.
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