Cephalexin

What is Cephalexin?

Cephalexin is an antibiotic that is used to treat bacterial tonsillitis infections. Specifically, it belongs to a class of medications called cephalosporin antibiotics.

Cephalosporin antibiotics work by damaging the cell walls of bacteria. This eventually causes the bacteria to die, and your immune system then helps your body fight an infection.

Tonsillitis infections can be either viral or bacterial. Viral infections often need no treatment beyond rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and using common painkillers to manage your symptoms. For bacterial tonsilitis, antibiotics like Cephalexin are often prescribed.

You usually take Cephalexin for 7-14 days. Bacterial tonsillitis can cause swollen tonsils, a sore throat, and fatigue that feels worse and harder to manage than a viral infection. Cephalexin can improve these symptoms in a few days, but you always need to take a full course of antibiotics to ensure the infection has cleared.

How does Cephalexin work?

Cephalexin is a prescription-strength antibiotic that works by killing bacteria. It’s used to treat infections caused by bacteria such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections and skin infections. It can also treat bacterial tonsillitis.

Cephalexins rupture the cell walls of bacteria. They work like penicillins, meaning they are ‘broad-spectrum’ and are effective against a range of bacteria.

Unlike viral tonsillitis that can get better on its own, bacterial infections usually need antibiotics.

Bacterial tonsillitis usually causes swollen, red tonsils accompanied by a sore throat. Infections can sometimes cause headaches, fatigue, and a fever. Symptoms like this might be an indication your infection is bacterial and not viral, and will need a course of medication like Cephalexin.

What doses of Cephalexin are there?

Cephalexin tablets are available in three strengths, 250mg, 500mg and 750mg.

Your physician will let you know how much Cephalexin to use. It’s usually taken every six or twelve hours, between 7-14 days.^[1] The amount of tablets you need to take might be determined by how severe your symptoms are.

Whenever you’re prescribed antibiotics, it’s important you take the full amount you’re given, even when your symptoms have improved. Stopping treatment too early can mean the infection isn’t fully cleared, and can come back. Finishing antibiotics too soon can also contribute to antimicrobial resistance, which is when these kinds of medications become less effective against certain kinds of bacteria.^[2]

How to take Cephalexin

Swallow the tablets whole, with a drink of water.

They can be taken with or without food, but it might be helpful to swallow your tablets at the same time each day. This can help you stick to a consistent dosage routine, and avoid missing a dose or taking more tablets than you need.

How long does Cephalexin take to work?

Tonsillitis symptoms might improve after only a few days of taking Cephalexin. The tablets will affect people differently, so there’s no guarantee how long it will be before you start feeling better.

Even if symptoms like tonsil swelling and a sore throat do improve shortly after starting your antibiotics, you will still need to carry on taking the tablets each day. Bacterial infection symptoms can clear while the bacteria that caused them is still present, so it’s essential you don’t stop treatment early.

If your tonsilitis hasn’t improved by the time you’ve almost finished your tablets, let a physician know. It could mean that your body is resistant to this particular antibiotic, and you might be recommended an alternative.

What should I do if I make a mistake when using Cephalexin?

If you forget to take Cephalexin at your usual time, you can still swallow a tablet provided it isn’t getting too close to the time your next tablet is due. In this case, just skip the one you missed and continue with your usual dosage routine.

If for any reason you take more Cephalexin than you need, go to your nearest hospital’s emergency department and seek urgent help. If you can, bring the box this medication came in with you. Providing hospital staff with as much information as possible can help you get the help you need sooner.