Contains the active ingredient, cephalexin monohydrate
Consumer Medicine Information
For a copy of a large print leaflet, Ph: 1800 195 055
What is in this leaflet
Read this leaflet carefully before taking your medicine.
This leaflet answers some common questions about cephalexin. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
The information in this leaflet was last updated on the date listed on the last page. Some more recent information on your medicine may be available.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist:
- if there is anything you do not understand in this leaflet,
- if you are worried about taking your medicine, or
- to obtain the most up-to-date information.
You can also download the most up-to-date leaflet from www.apotex.com.au. All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you using this medicine against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
Pharmaceutical companies cannot give you medical advice or an individual diagnosis.
Keep this leaflet with your medicine.
You may want to read it again.
What this medicine is used for
The name of your medicine is Terry White Chemists Cephalexin. It contains the active ingredient, cephalexin monohydrate.
It is used to treat infections in different parts of the body caused by bacteria, such as:
- respiratory tract (chest, lungs, tonsils and throat)
- sinuses
- ears (middle ear infection)
- skin
- genitourinary tract (kidney, bladder, prostate).
Cephalexin will not work against infections caused by viruses such as colds or the flu.
How it works
Cephalexin belongs to a group of antibiotics called cephalosporins that are closely related to penicillins.
Cephalexin works by killing the bacteria causing your infection or by stopping its growth.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed cephalexin for another reason.
This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
There is no evidence that this medicine is addictive.
Before you take this medicine
When you must not take it
Do not take this medicine if:
- You are hypersensitive to, or have had an allergic reaction to, cephalexin, the cephalosporin group of medicines or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
- You have had a serious allergic reaction to penicillins.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include: shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or other parts of the body; muscle pain or tenderness or joint pain or rash, itching or hives on the skin. - The expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.
If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well. - The packaging is torn, shows signs of tampering or if it does not look quite right.
Before you start to take it
Before you start taking this medicine, tell your doctor if:
- You have allergies to:
- cephalosporins, penicillins or any other antibiotics
You may have an increased chance of being allergic to cephalexin if you are allergic to any of these medicines. - any other medicines
- any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
- You have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:
- kidney disease
- severe bowel conditions/disease
- liver disease.
- You are currently pregnant or you plan to become pregnant. Do not take this medicine whilst pregnant until you and your doctor have discussed the risks and benefits involved.
- You are currently breastfeeding or you plan to breast-feed. Do not take this medicine whilst breastfeeding until you and your doctor have discussed the risks and benefits involved. Cephalexin passes into breast milk.
- You are planning to have surgery or an anaesthetic.
- You are currently receiving or are planning to receive dental treatment.
- You are taking or are planning to take any other medicines. This includes vitamins and supplements that are available from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Taking other medicines
Some medicines may interact with cephalexin. These include:
- probenecid, a medicine used to treat gout or to prolong the action of certain antibiotics
- metformin, a medicine used to treat diabetes.
These medicines may be affected by cephalexin or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines.
Your doctor can tell you if you are taking any of these medicines. They may also have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking cephalexin.
Other interactions not listed above may also occur.
How to take this medicine
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor carefully.
They may be different to the information in this leaflet.
If you do not understand any written instructions, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How much to take
Your doctor will tell you how many mLs you will need to take. This depends on your infection, your condition and whether or not you are taking any other medicines.
Adults
The usual adult dose is 250 mg taken every six hours. Your doctor may recommend a different dose depending on your condition.
Children
Your child’s doctor will tell you how much cephalexin your child should take. This will depend on your child’s age, weight and the type of infection.
How to take it
Always shake the bottle before measuring the correct volume to give your child.
When to take it
Take it at about the same times each day, spaced evenly apart.
Taking your medicine at the same times each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take it.
It does not matter if you take it before, with or after food.
How long to take it for
Keep taking this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days, unless told otherwise by your doctor.
If you stop taking this medicine too soon, the infection may not clear completely or your symptoms may return.
If you forget to take it
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed. This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (Tel: 13 11 26 for Australia) for advice, or go to the Accident and Emergency Department at the nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much cephalexin.
Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention.
If you take too much cephalexin, you may have diarrhoea or feel sick.
While you are taking this medicine
Things you must do
Tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine if:
- you are about to be started on any new medicine
- you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant
- you are breastfeeding or are planning to breast-feed
- you are about to have any blood tests
- you are going to have surgery or an anaesthetic or are going into hospital.
Go to your doctor regularly for a check-up.
If the symptoms of your infection do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, tell your doctor.
Things you must not do
Do not stop taking your medicine because you are feeling better, unless advised by your doctor.
If you do not complete the full course prescribed by your doctor, all of the bacteria causing your infection may not be killed. These bacteria may continue to grow and multiply so that your infection may not clear completely or it may return.
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
Do not take your medicine to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Things to be careful of
Be careful while driving or operating machinery until you know how cephalexin affects you.
Cephalexin generally does not cause any problems with your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. However, as with many other medicines, cephalexin may cause dizziness or tiredness in some people.
Children may also be affected so they should be carefully watched if riding bikes or climbing.
Possible side effects
All medicines may have some unwanted side effects. Sometimes they are serious, but most of the time, they are not. Your doctor has weighed the risks of using this medicine against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking cephalexin.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Following is a list of possible side effects. Do not be alarmed by this list. You may not experience any of them.
While taking it
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking cephalexin or if you have any questions or concerns.
Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects. You may not experience any of them. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious but most of the time they are not.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following:
- oral thrush – white, furry, sore tongue and mouth
- vaginal thrush – sore and itchy vagina and/or discharge
- itching in the genital or anal areas
- mild diarrhoea
- mild stomach upsets, such as indigestion, feeling sick and/or being sick (vomiting)
- dizziness, tiredness or headache
- aching or swollen muscles or joints
- headache.
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following
These may be serious side effects and you may need medical attention:
- fever
- itching or any type of skin rash or blistering, peeling or flaking skin
- severe vomiting and/or diarrhoea, stomach pain
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, and/or pale stools, dark urine (jaundice)
- bleeding or bruising more easily than normal, frequent infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers
- feeling agitated, confused or seeing or hearing things that are not there.
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some patients.
Allergic reactions
If you think you are having an allergic reaction to cephalexin, do not take any more of this medicine and tell your doctor immediately or go to the Accident and Emergency department at your nearest hospital.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include some or all of the following:
- cough, shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or other parts of the body
- rash, itching or hives on the skin
- fainting
- hay fever-like symptoms.
After finishing it
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following side effects, particularly if they occur several weeks after stopping treatment with cephalexin:
- severe abdominal cramps or stomach cramps
- watery and severe diarrhoea, which may also be bloody
- fever, in combination with one or both of the above.
These are rare but serious side effects and may mean that you have a serious condition affecting your bowel. Cephalexin can cause bacteria, which is normally present in the bowel and normally harmless, to multiply and cause the above symptoms. You may need urgent medical attention.
Do not take any medicine for diarrhoea without first checking with your doctor or pharmacist.
Storage and disposal
Storage
Keep your medicine in its original packaging until it is time to take it.
If you take your medicine out of its original packaging it may not keep well.
Keep your suspension refrigerated (do not freeze). If you store the suspension out of the refrigerator, it will not keep well.
Do not use any suspension that is left in the bottle after 14 days.
Do not store your medicine, or any other medicine, in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it on a window sill or in the car. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor or pharmacist tells you to stop taking this medicine or it has passed its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over.
Product description
What Terry White Chemists Cephalexin suspension looks like
Terry White Chemists Cephalexin 125 mg/5 mL Suspension
Pink coloured suspension
Bottles of 100 mL.
Terry White Chemists Cephalexin 250 mg/5 mL Suspension
Pink coloured suspension
Bottles of 100 mL.
Ingredients
Each 5 mL contains either 125 mg or 250 mg of cephalexin (monohydrate) as the active ingredient.
It also contains the following inactive ingredients:
- allura red
- colloidal anhydrous silica
- artificial strawberry flavour
- xanthan gum
- sodium benzoate
- sucrose.
This medicine is gluten-free, lactose-free and tartrazine-free.
Australian Registration Numbers
Terry White Chemists Cephalexin 125 mg/5 mL Suspension
Bottles
AUST R number 160873.
Terry White Chemists Cephalexin 250 mg/5 mL Suspension
Bottles
AUST R number 160874.
Sponsor
Apotex Pty Ltd
16 Giffnock Avenue
Macquarie Park NSW 2113
This leaflet was prepared in September 2015.
Published by MIMS October 2016