Cephalexin is a first-generation cephalosporin used to treat certain susceptible bacterial infections. These infections include respiratory tract infections, otitis media, skin and skin structure infections, bone infections, and genitourinary tract infections. Cephalexin is administered orally as either 250 mg or 500 mg capsules. These capsules can be given 1 to 4 times daily, usually administered for seven days. Cephalexin inhibits penicillin binding proteins. Penicillin binding proteins are responsible for glycosyltransferase and transpeptidase reactions that lead to cross-linking of D-alanine and D-aspartic acid in bacterial cell walls. Inhibition of this protein leads to upregulation of autolytic enzymes and inhibition of cell wall synthesis. Cephalexin eventually leads to cell death. Side effects of taking cephalexin include abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspepsia, gastritis, nausea, vomiting, erythema multiforme, genital pruritus, vaginitis, vaginal discharge, candidiasis, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, eosinophilia, arthralgia, arthropathy, and arthritis.

Cephalexin Pathway (New) References