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Keflex was a trade name for cephalexin, an oral cephalosporin antibacterial. FDA Orange Book records list the Keflex capsule products as discontinued, and FDA determined the withdrawal was not related to safety concerns or lack of efficacy. Generic cephalexin remains marketed in the United States.
read more about what was keflex ...Cephalexin binds bacterial penicillin-binding proteins and interferes with cell wall synthesis. This weakens the bacterial cell wall and causes death of susceptible bacteria.
Current cephalexin labeling includes respiratory tract infections, otitis media, skin and skin structure infections, bone infections, and genitourinary tract infections caused by susceptible bacteria. Treatment is reserved for infections proven or strongly suspected to be bacterial.
Adults and patients age 15 and older usually receive 250 mg every six hours or 500 mg every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days. Pediatric patients older than 1 year usually receive 25 mg to 50 mg per kg daily in divided doses, while otitis media uses 75 mg to 100 mg per kg daily. Kidney impairment can require dose reduction.
Serious concerns include anaphylaxis and other hypersensitivity reactions, Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea, drug-induced hemolytic anemia, and seizures. Seizure risk rises when doses are not reduced appropriately in kidney impairment. Cephalexin is contraindicated in patients with serious hypersensitivity to cephalexin or other cephalosporins.
Keflex contained cephalexin, a cephalosporin antibacterial.
No. FDA Orange Book records list the Keflex capsule products as discontinued.
A usual adult regimen is 250 mg every six hours or 500 mg every 12 hours.
Yes. Current labeling reduces dosing when kidney function is substantially impaired.
Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations 46th Edition (Orange Book). https://www.fda.gov/media/71474/download?attachment=. Date Accessed October 7, 2026.
Cephalexin. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31747187/. Date Accessed October 7, 2026.
Cephalexin: A Review of Its Antibacterial, Pharmacological and Therapeutic Properties. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4559812/. Date Accessed October 7, 2026.
Cephalexin: MedlinePlus Drug Information. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682733.html. Date Accessed October 7, 2026.
Cephalexin Capsules Prescribing Information. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=980b9dd9-cb61-4c4f-81ac-85ee5a7c2497. Date Accessed October 7, 2026.