Patient leaflet - Cefalexin 250 mg capsules
1. WHAT CEFALEXIN CAPSULES ARE AND WHAT THEY ARE USED FOR
Cefalexin Capsules contain cefalexin as the active ingredient, which belongs to a class of antibiotics called ‘cephalosporins’. The capsules are used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. These include:
Respiratory tract (lung and airways) infections
e.g. tonsillitis, pharyngitis and bronchitis
- Middle ear infection (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 (prostatitis)
- Dental infections.
2. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TAKE CEFALEXIN CAPSULES
Do not take Cefalexin Capsules if you:
are allergic (hypersensitivity) to cefalexin, other cephalosporins (similar antibiotics) or to any of the ingredients of this medicine (listed in 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 Capsules if you:
have had an allergic reaction to cefalexin,
cephalosporins, penicillins, or other drugs in the past
have a severe kidney disorder (you may need a
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 or urine tests. Cefalexin Capsules 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 Capsules
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, includ-ing medicines obtained without a prescription. In particular, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
Any other antibiotics (for example, gentamicin,
tobramycin, cefuroxime)
Potent diuretics (water tablets used to treat
high blood pressure or water retention) such as furosemide
- Probenecid (a treatment for gout.)
- Metformin (a treatment for diabetes)
- Drugs used to treat leukaemia
It may still be all right for you to be given Cefalexin Capsules and your doctor will be able to decide what is suitable for you.
Cefalexin Capsules with food and drink
These capsules may be taken before, during or after your meals.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Driving and using machines
Cefalexin Capsules should not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Cefalexin Capsules contains lactose
If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
3. HOW TO TAKE CEFALEXIN CAPSULES
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Dosage:
Adults and the elderly
The usual total daily dose is 1-4 g orally, in divided doses.
Most infections can be treated by 500 mg
every 8 hours. For skin and soft tissue infections, sore throat (streptococcal pharyngi-tis), and mild, uncomplicated urinary tract infections, the usual dose is 250 mg every 6 hours, or 500 mg 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 is 25mg to 50mg for each kilogram of their weight in divided doses.
For skin and soft tissue infections, streptococ-
cal pharyngitis, and mild, uncomplicated urinary tract infections, the total daily dose may be divided and administered every 12 hours.
For most infections the following schedule is suggested:
Children under 5 years: 125 mg every 8 hours.
PRINTING AREA
Cefalexin Capsules - 250 /500 mg - S/L- Eng - PIL
Losartan Tablets
Headings: 9pt (Bold)
Sub-Heading: 8pt (Bold)
Normal Text: 8pt (Regular)
Children 5 years and over: 250 mg 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 100 mg/kg in 4 doses is required.
If you take more Cefalexin Capsules than you should
Contact your doctor or nearest hospital casualty department immediately for advice if you or a child have swallowed too many capsules. Take this leaflet, the pack or any capsules with you, if you can.
If you forget to take Cefalexin Capsules
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remem-ber. If it is almost time to take the next dose, skip the missed dose and carry on as before. Do not take a double dose to make up for a 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 Capsules 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
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
- Stomach pains
- Measles-like rash, (alone)
- Itching
- Red wheals on the skin (urticaria) (alone)
Rash with widespread 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
only be detected by a blood and / or urine test
- Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
- Weakness
- Fainting
- Abnormally excitable behaviour
- Agitation
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Seeing or hearing things (hallucinations)
Encephalopathy (non-inflammatory brain
disease)
- Convulsions
- Myoclonus (muscle-twitching)
Itching of the vagina or anus caused by thrush
(candidiasis)
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: 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 CAPSULES
- KEEP OUT OF SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN.
- Do not store above 25 °C.
- Store Cefalexin Capsules in their original package and keep containers tightly closed.
- Do not use the capsules after the expiry ‘EXP’ date which is printed on the carton (the expiry date refers to the last day of the month stated).
- 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 Capsules contain
The active ingredient is cefalexin, 250 mg or 500 mg.
The other ingredients are lactose, magnesium stearate. The capsule shell contains black iron oxide (E172), titanium dioxide (E171), Yellow Iron Oxide (E172) and Red Iron Oxide (E172) and gelatine. What Cefalexin Capsules look like and contents of the pack
Cefalexin Capsules are grey/orange capsule containing white powder and printed with ‘CHX 250’ (250 mg) or ‘CHX 500’ (500 mg). They are available in tubular containers with a temper-evident tear strip or in blister pack of 7, 14, 20, 21, 28, 30, 50, 56, 60, 100 or 500 capsules (not all pack sizes may be marketed).
MA Holder:
Rudipharm Limited
Unit 6, Salbrook Road Industrial Estate
Salbrook Road, Redhill, Surrey RH1 5GJ, UK
Manufacturer:
Rudipharm Limited
Oak House, Reeds Crescent,
Watford, WD24 4QP, United Kingdom.
To listen to or request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print or audio please call, 01293 827819 (UK only) Please be ready to give the following information:
Product name
Cefalexin 250 mg Capsules Reference number
PL 49565/0023
Product name
Cefalexin 500 mg Capsules
Reference number
PL 49565/0024
This leaflet was last revised in June 2026.