Is Cephalexin A Penicillin Antibiotic? (Top voted first)

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IS IT A FORM of penicillin? Can it be used for sinus infections?

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I have a penicillin alergy and was prescribed cephalexin. I broke out in a ash on my chest within a few hours of taking cephalexin. I waited a day and tried it again and got the same results. Dr. sait to quit taking it but also that my results were not typical for people with penicillin allergies.

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Cephalexin is not penicillin but there can be a cross-hypersenitivity for people who have a penicillin allergy and use this. Any antibiotic considered in the beta-lactam classification can cause a cross-hypersensitivity in anyone with a history of penicillin allergy. Cephalosporins, cephems, carbapenums, and penums are classes of antibiotics, in the beta-lactam classification, that may cause a reaction in someone with a penicillin allergy and Keflex (cephalexin) is a first generation cephalosporin. A lot of people with penicillin allergy can still take Keflex or others, but most hospitals and physicians will avoid any antibiotic in the classification due to the possibility of cross-hypersensitivity.

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6

i have been allergic to penicillin since a child, i come out in rashes.
i just had an abscess drained and i was put onto cephalexin, same response to penicillin.
the only anti b i can take is erythromycin...food for thought, pity i keep getting stupid gp's that dont listen to me.

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3

I have had a cough and lots of phlegm for 4 days and a feverish feeling now - have some cephalexin 500 mg \dated 7/9/10 - can I use these ?

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8

EVEN HOSPITALS DONT LISTEN JUST BEEN GIVEN CEPHALEXIN I HAVE BAD REACTION NEXT TIME I HAVE PENICILLIN I COULD ACTUALLY DIE WHY DONT THEY LISTEN IT WAS WRITTEN ON EVERY FORM BUT STILL GAVE IT TO ME

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1

Cephalexin is not a form of penicillin. I am allergic to penicillin, so I am given Cephalexin all the time. It can be used for a number of infections including sinus infections.

Cephalexin is in a group of drugs called cephalosporin antibiotics and is used to fight bacteria in the body. It works by interfering with the bacteria's cell wall formation, causing it to rupture, and killing the bacteria.

Cephalexin is used to treat infections caused by bacteria, including upper respiratory infections, ear infections, skin infections, and urinary tract infections.

http://www.drugs.com/cephalexin.html

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5

RPAC, you obviously dont know what you are talking about becasue you say that cephalexin is not used for upper respiratory infections, and mainly skin. in the cephalaxin Consumer Medicine Information pamphlet, it specifically says it is used for the following:

• respiratory tract (chest, lungs, tonsils, throat)
• sinuses
• ears (middle ear infection)
• skin
• genitourinary tract (kidney, bladder, prostate).

This information was found on the following website:
betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcmed.nsf/pages/gxccephc/$File/gxccephc.pdf

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16

You should have relief within 48-72hrs. The increased swelling contributes to pain in your leg. Any redness should start to lessen and not look so angry red. Hope you get better.oh yeah been a nurse 20 years

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18

It has been clinically proven that around 10% of patients with penicillin allergies are also allergic to cephalexin.

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25

There is no Penicillin in Cephalexin. They are quite separate antibiotics. There can be an overlap with Penicillin sensitivity but you are COMPLETELY WRONG when you say there is Penicillin in Cephalexin. Your ignorance is confusing and VERY unhelpful.

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30

Cephalexin (Keflex) is a cephalosporin, not a penicillin. Cephalexin does not contain anything besides a drug base and cephalexin.

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32

Re: nicole (# 31) Expand Referenced Message

Cephalexin is an antibiotic it has no narcotics in it, it has no pain relieving abilities. To my knowledge it has no euphoric attributes either.

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14

I have gotten a sinus infection after a cold and i havent taken penicillin since i was 10 and got a rash from it but i have a script for cephalexin and i already had taken it just now. Should i be looking for other signs rather than a rash for this use.

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15

I wouldn't. That's exactly what I did and I had a anaphylaxis reaction. Throat swelling, lips swelled, short of breath, ears and throat itching. Wasn't fun...

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17

i seem to be allergic to most anti-biotics except Keflex. Is that good for sinutitis?

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20

I got allergic reaction (swelling of face & lips) to Penicillin when I was 6 yrs old, now I am 55. I have heard that if the allergic medicine is not taken for several yrs you don't get allergic reaction. Now I have been prescribed Keflex according to my urine culture report for UTI due to bilateral DJ long term stents in obstructed ureters due to retroperitoneal fibrosis because of which bilateral moderate hydronephrosis has occured and kidneys are moderately damaged. Currently I have no symptoms (no fever or urine difficulty) but report says Staphylococcus epidermidis (MSSE) sensitive to drugs all of which are like penicillin. doc has given keflex, plz advice whether to take or not.

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21

me too. was told the next dose of penicillin could kill me. just told them again yesterday and was given ephalexin! i swear they either dont give a damn or are hell bent on killing us!

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22

You are full of it...cephalexin aka keflex is not a penicillin but works in the same way to treat bacterial infections. I am allergi to penicillin but not cephalosporins eg cephalexin. Some people are and some people aren't. The only relationship between cephalexin and penicillin is that they fight bacteria in the same manner...thaa is why some people are allergic to both. Cephalexin IS NOT a penicillin derivative!!! Look it up online if you're too stubborn to believe me. Everything written above is factual.

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23

When I was 11 had a allergic reaction to penicillin(mostly swelling in hands and feet), last year I was given penicillin and with in 15 mins. I started to go into shock. I could hardly breath, itched everywhere, bright red skin and was dieing. My daughter called 911, by the time they got here I could not even stand. It was the most scary event of my life so far. Knowing that my doctor gave me Keflex for UTI, I am afraid to take it. I have had it for 2 days and can't make myself take it. Someone please let me know if I can.

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24

The EXACT same thing happened to my daughter. I have also had that experience. Head to toe hives. While cephalexin ISN'T a penicillin, it can very rarely, 10% of the time, cause a reaction in patients with penicillin allergies/sensitivity. Even though the statistics show a small possibility, we tend to err on the side of caution and avoid cephalexin, also called kelfex.

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