Patient leaflet - Cefalexin 250 mg / 5 ml powder for oral suspension
1. WHAT CEFALEXIN ORAL SUSPENSION IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
Cefalexin contains the active ingredient cefalexin monohydrate, which is an antibiotic. Cefalexin Oral Suspension is used to treat following infections caused by bacteria that can be killed by cefalexin:
- Respiratory tract (lung and airways) e.g. tonsillitis, pharyngitis and bronchitis
- Middle ear infections (otitis media)
- Skin and soft tissue (e.g. muscle) infections
- Bone and joint infections
Infections of the reproductive organs and urinary tract (e.g. cystitis), including acute
inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis)
- Dental infections.
2. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TAKE CEFALEXIN ORAL SUSPENSION
Do not take Cefalexin Oral Suspension if you:
are allergic (hypersensitive) to cefalexin, other cephalosporins (similar antibiotics) or
any of the ingredients in the product (see Section 6). An allergic reaction may include rash, itching, difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue. Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Cefalexin if you:
Have had allergic reaction to cefalexin, cephalosporins, penicillins or other drugs in the
past
- Have a severe kidney disorder (you may need reduced dose)
- develop severe or prolonged diarrhoea during or after taking Cefalexin.
Have ever developed a severe skin rash or skin peeling, blistering and/or mouth sores
after taking cefalexin or other antibacterials
Tell your doctor if you are having blood and urine tests. Cefalexin Oral Suspension may interfere with these tests.
Acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) has been reported with the use of cefalexin.
AGEP appears at the initiation of treatment as a red, scaly widespread rash with bumps under the skin and blisters accompanied by fever. The most common location: mainly localized on the skin folds, trunk, and upper extremities. The highest risk for occurrence of this serious skin reaction is within the first week of treatment. If you develop a serious rash or another of these skin symptoms, stop taking cefalexin and contact your doctor or seek medical attention immediately.
Other medicines and Cefalexin
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken any other medicines, including those obtained without a prescription. This is especially important of the following, as they may interact with your Cefalexin: Any other antibiotics, (e.g. gentamicin, tobramycin, cefuroxime)
- Potent diuretics e.g. furosemide (water tablets used to treat high blood pressure or water retention)
- probenecid (a treatment of gout)
- metformin (a treatment of diabetes)
- drugs used to treat leukemia
It may still be all right for you to be given Cefalexin and your doctor will be able to decide what is suitable for you.
Taking Cefalexin Oral Suspension with food and drink
This suspension may be taken before, during or after your meals.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant or breast-feeding. Ask your doctor or pharmacists for advice before taking any medicine if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Driving and using machines
Cefalexin Oral Suspension are not expected to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Excipients
Sorbitol - If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product. Sorbitol may have a mild laxative effect Calorific value of sorbitol is 2.6 kcal/g. One dose of the Cefalexin suspension contains 900mg of sorbitol
Sodium - This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per 5ml, that is to say essentially, ‘sodium free’.
3. HOW TO TAKE CEFALEXIN ORAL SUSPENSION
Always take Cefalexin Oral Suspension exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you to. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.Your pharmacist should make up the suspension before you are given it.
The bottle is turned upside down and tapped to loosen the powder. Then a total of 89 ml water for Cefalexin 125mg/5ml Powder for Oral Suspension and 87 ml water for Cefalexin 250mg/5ml Powder for Oral Suspension in two portions is added, shaking after each addition until all the powder is in suspension. The suspension should be shaken well before use.
For oral use only.
Dosage:
Adults and the elderly:
The usual total daily dose is 1g to 4g a day in divided doses.
Most infections can be treated by 500mg every 8 hours. For skin and soft tissue infections, sore throat (Streptococcal pharyngitis), and mild, uncomplicated urinary tract infections, the usual dose is 250mg every 6 hours or 500mg every 12 hours.
For more severe infections, larger doses may be needed. A reduced dose is needed for patients with severe kidney disorders.
Use in Children:
The usual total daily dose for children is 25-50 mg/kg (body weight) in divided doses. For skin and soft tissue infections, sore throat, and mild, uncomplicated urinary tract infections, the total daily dose may be divided and administered every 12 hours. For most infections the following is recommended:
PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER Cefalexin 125mg/5ml Powder for Oral Suspension Cefalexin 250mg/5ml Powder for Oral Suspension
(cefalexin monohydrate)
Space For
Children under 5 years: 125mg every 8 hours.
Children 5 years and over: 250mg every 8 hours.
In severe infections, the dose may be doubled. In the treatment of middle ear infections, a total daily dose of 75 to 100mg/kg in 4 doses is required.
Take all the suspension your doctor has given you. Do not stop taking them, even if you feel better.
If you take more Cefalexin Oral Suspension than you should
Contact your doctor or nearest hospital casualty department if you or a child have swallowed too much medicine. Take this leaflet and any remaining suspension with you, if possible. Symptoms of overdose include nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, appearance of blood in the urine.
If you forget to take Cefalexin Oral Suspension
If you miss a dose, take suspension as soon as you remember. Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten dose.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, Cefalexin Oral Suspension can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
Tell your doctor immediately if you get any sudden wheeziness, difficulty in breathing, swelling of the eyelids, face or lips, rash or itching (especially affecting your whole body).
Serious side effects
The following side effects are serious. You should stop taking this medicine and contact your doctor immediately if you experience them:
- serious peeling or blistering of the skin
- severe diarrhoea
a red, scaly widespread rash with bumps under the skin and blisters accompanied by
fever at the initiation of treatment (acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis). See also section 2.
The following side effects have been reported:
- Diarrhoea, stomach pain, indigestion
- Feeling sick
- Vomiting
- Measles- like rash(alone)
- Itching
- Red wheals on the skin (urticaria)(alone)
Rash with wide spread joint pain and/ or stiffness, swollen lymph glands, fever and,
possibly, cloudy urine
Changes in blood counts, which may show up as bruising or a very tired feeling. You will
need a blood test to confirm this.
- Damage to your liver or kidneys which can be detected by a blood and/ or urine test
- jaundice (Yellow skin and eye)
- Weakness
- fainting
- Abnormally excitable behaviour
- Agitation
- Confusion
- Dizziness, tiredness, headache,
- Seeing or hearing things (hallucinations)
- Encephalopathy (non-inflammatory brain disease)
- Convulsions
- Myoclonus (muscle-twitching)
itching of the vagina or anus caused by thrush (candidasis)
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. HOW TO STORE CEFALEXIN Oral Suspension KEEP OUT OF SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN.
Dry powder: Store below 25°C, tightly closed in the container.
Made-up suspension: Store at 2 – 8°C. Discard any unused medicine after 14 days. Do not use Cefalexin Oral Suspension after the expiry date stated on the pack. Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household- waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. CONTENTS OF THE PACK AND OTHER INFORMATION What Cefalexin Oral Suspension contain
The active substance is cefalexin monohydrate, 125mg or 250mg in a 5ml spoonful. The other ingredients are sodium benzoate (E211). Disodium edetate, citric acid, sodium citrate, sorbitol powder, saccharin sodium, colloidal silicon dioxide, monoammonium glycerrhizinate, and xanthan gum.
The 125mg/5ml suspension contains colour E127 (erythrosine) and strawberry flavour. The 250mg/5ml suspension contains colour 104 (quinoline yellow) and orange flavour.
What Cefalexin Oral Suspension look like and contents of the pack 125mg/5ml powder - pale pink, free flowing granular powder, which readily mixes in water to give a pink suspension with a flavour of strawberry.
250mg/5ml powder - pale yellow, free flowing granular powder, which readily mixes in water to give a yellow suspension with a flavour of orange.
Pack size: Both suspensions are supplied in plastic bottles of 100ml.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer:
Rudipharm Limited
Unit 6, Salbrook Road Industrial Estate
Salbrook Road, Redhill, Surrey RH1 5GJ, UK
To listen to or request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print or audio please call, 01293 827819 (UK only) Product name
Cefalexin 125mg/5ml Powder for Oral Suspension: Reference number
PL 49565/0034
Product name
Cefalexin 250mg/5ml Powder for Oral Suspension: Reference number
PL 49565/0035
This leaflet was last revised in July 2026.