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2D Structure
Also known as: Cefalexin, 15686-71-2, Cephacillin, Keflex, Ceporexin, Cepexin
Molecular Formula
C16H17N3O4S
Molecular Weight
347.4  g/mol
InChI Key
ZAIPMKNFIOOWCQ-UEKVPHQBSA-N
FDA UNII
5SFF1W6677

A semisynthetic cephalosporin antibiotic with antimicrobial activity similar to that of CEPHALORIDINE or CEPHALOTHIN, but somewhat less potent. It is effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms.
Cephalexin anhydrous is a Cephalosporin Antibacterial.
1 2D Structure

2D Structure

2 Identification
2.1 Computed Descriptors
2.1.1 IUPAC Name
(6R,7R)-7-[[(2R)-2-amino-2-phenylacetyl]amino]-3-methyl-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid
2.1.2 InChI
InChI=1S/C16H17N3O4S/c1-8-7-24-15-11(14(21)19(15)12(8)16(22)23)18-13(20)10(17)9-5-3-2-4-6-9/h2-6,10-11,15H,7,17H2,1H3,(H,18,20)(H,22,23)/t10-,11-,15-/m1/s1
2.1.3 InChI Key
ZAIPMKNFIOOWCQ-UEKVPHQBSA-N
2.1.4 Canonical SMILES
CC1=C(N2C(C(C2=O)NC(=O)C(C3=CC=CC=C3)N)SC1)C(=O)O
2.1.5 Isomeric SMILES
CC1=C(N2[C@@H]([C@@H](C2=O)NC(=O)[C@@H](C3=CC=CC=C3)N)SC1)C(=O)O
2.2 Other Identifiers
2.2.1 UNII
5SFF1W6677
2.3 Synonyms
2.3.1 MeSH Synonyms

1. 5-thia-1-azabicyclo(4.2.0)oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic Acid, 7-((aminophenylacetyl)amino)-3-methyl-8-oxo-, (6r-(6alpha,7beta(r*)))-

2. Cefalexin

3. Cephalexin Dihydride

4. Cephalexin Hemihydrate

5. Cephalexin Hydrochloride

6. Cephalexin Monohydrate

7. Cephalexin Monohydrochloride

8. Cephalexin Monohydrochloride, Monohydrate

9. Cephalexin, (6r-(6alpha,7alpha(r*)))-isomer

10. Cephalexin, (6r-(6alpha,7beta(s*)))-isomer

11. Cephalexin, (6r-(6alpha,7beta))-isomer

12. Cephalexin, Monosodium Salt

13. Cephalexin, Monosodium Salt, (6r-(6alpha,7beta))-isomer

14. Ceporexine

15. Palitrex

2.3.2 Depositor-Supplied Synonyms

1. Cefalexin

2. 15686-71-2

3. Cephacillin

4. Keflex

5. Ceporexin

6. Cepexin

7. Cephalexinum

8. Cepastar

9. Cephalexine

10. Celexin

11. Ceporex

12. Alcephin

13. Alsporin

14. Carnosporin

15. Cefablan

16. Cefaleksin

17. Cefalexina

18. Cefalexine

19. Cefalexinum

20. Durantel

21. Mamalexin

22. Sinthecillin

23. Uphalexin

24. Cefadin

25. Felexin

26. Pyassan

27. Tepaxin

28. Keflet

29. Palitrex

30. Cefalessina [dcit]

31. Cephalexin Anhydrous

32. Cefaseptin

33. Novolexin

34. Biocef

35. Keftab

36. Cefalexine [inn-french]

37. Cefalexinum [inn-latin]

38. Cefalexina [inn-spanish]

39. Panixine Disperdose

40. Lilly 66873

41. 7-(d-alpha-aminophenylacetamido)desacetoxycephalosporanic Acid

42. Ceporexine

43. Cefalexin Anhydrous

44. Cefalexin [inn]

45. Anhydrous Cephalexin

46. Ceffanex

47. Cephanasten

48. 7-beta-(d-alpha-amino-alpha-phenylacetylamino)-3-methyl-3-cephem-4-carboxylic Acid

49. Cefaloto

50. Ceforal

51. Chebi:3534

52. Cophalexin

53. Factagard

54. Kefalospes

55. Lexibiotico

56. Lopilexin

57. Neolexina

58. Ortisporina

59. Sartosona

60. Sencephalin

61. Servispor

62. Tokiolexin

63. Cefadal

64. Cefadina

65. Cefalin

66. Cefovit

67. Cephaxin

68. Erocetin

69. Ibrexin

70. Inphalex

71. Kefolan

72. Kekrinal

73. Kidolex

74. Lafarine

75. Larixin

76. Lenocef

77. Lonflex

78. Madlexin

79. Mamlexin

80. Medoxine

81. Oriphex

82. Ospexin

83. Pectril

84. Sanaxin

85. Sepexin

86. Sialexin

87. Sporicef

88. Sporidex

89. Zozarine

90. Alexin

91. Cefax

92. Cephin

93. Cepol

94. Check

95. Fexin

96. Ibilex

97. Neokef

98. Nufex

99. Oracef

100. Oroxin

101. Roceph

102. Syncl

103. Syncle

104. Synecl

105. Voxxim

106. Winlex

107. Cex

108. Cefa-iskia

109. Ceporex Forte

110. Ceporexin-e

111. Sq 20248

112. Chembl1727

113. Durantel Ds

114. L-keflex

115. (6r,7r)-7-{[(2r)-2-amino-2-phenylacetyl]amino}-3-methyl-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic Acid

116. Cefalessina

117. Ed A-ceph

118. Roceph Distab

119. 5sff1w6677

120. Ncgc00159522-02

121. Ceflax

122. Dsstox_cid_2780

123. Dsstox_rid_76726

124. Dsstox_gsid_22780

125. (6r,7r)-7-((r)-2-amino-2-phenylacetamido)-3-methyl-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic Acid

126. (6r,7r)-7-[[(2r)-2-amino-2-phenylacetyl]amino]-3-methyl-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic Acid

127. 5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic Acid, 7-[[(2r)-aminophenylacetyl]amino]-3-methyl-8-oxo-, (6r,7r)-

128. L-cephalexin

129. Cephalexin 1-hydrate

130. Cerexin

131. Optocef

132. Cephalexin [usan:ban]

133. (6r,7r)-7-[(2r)-2-amino-2-phenylacetamido]-3-methyl-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic Acid

134. 5-thia-1-azabicyclo(4.2.0)oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic Acid, 7-(((2r)-aminophenylacetyl)amino)-3-methyl-8-oxo-, (6r,7r)-

135. Smr000338536

136. S 6437

137. Cas-15686-71-2

138. Keflex (tn)

139. Hsdb 3022

140. Nsc-758162

141. Einecs 239-773-6

142. Brn 0965503

143. Taicelexin

144. 7-(d-2-amino-2-phenylacetamido)-3-methyl-delta3-cephem-4-carboxylic Acid

145. Cerexins

146. Amplex

147. Unii-5sff1w6677

148. Anhydrous Cefalexin

149. Cefalexin,(s)

150. (6r,7r)-7-((r)-2-amino-2-phenylacetamido)-3-methyl-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo(4.2.0)oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic Acid

151. 34632-04-7

152. Cefadros

153. Cephamasten

154. Efalexin

155. Garasin

156. Iwalexin

157. Kefloridina

158. Oracocin

159. Cefalexin (jp17)

160. Cephalexin (cefalexin)

161. Cefalexin [jan]

162. Cephalexin [mi]

163. Prestwick0_000358

164. Prestwick1_000358

165. Prestwick2_000358

166. Prestwick3_000358

167. Cephalexin [hsdb]

168. Epitope Id:117132

169. Cefalexin [who-dd]

170. Schembl2961

171. 7-(d-2-amino-2-phenylacetamido)-3-methyl-delta (sup 3)-cephem-4- Carboxylic Acid

172. Bspbio_000455

173. (6r,7r)-7-((r)-2-amino-2-phenylacetamido)-3-methyl-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo(4.2.0)oct-2-en-2-carbonsaeure

174. 5-thia-1-azabicyclo(4.2.0)oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic Acid, 7-((aminophenylacetyl)amino)-3-methyl-8-oxo-, (6r-(6alpha,7beta(r*)))-

175. Mls000759527

176. Mls001424036

177. Spbio_002376

178. Bpbio1_000501

179. Gtpl4832

180. Dtxsid9022780

181. Lilly-66873

182. Bcpp000289

183. Hms2051a04

184. Hy-b0200

185. Zinc3830500

186. Tox21_111740

187. Bdbm50139896

188. Akos004119846

189. Tox21_111740_1

190. Bcp9000509

191. Ccg-100831

192. Cs-2137

193. Db00567

194. Nc00081

195. Nsc 758162

196. Ncgc00159522-03

197. Ncgc00159522-05

198. (6r,7r)-7-[[(2r)-2-amino-2-phenyl-acetyl]amino]-3-methyl-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic Acid

199. 5-thia-1-azabicyclo(4.2.0)oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic Acid, 7-(2-amino-2-phenylacetamido)-3-methyl-8-oxo-, D-

200. Ds-11971

201. B1692

202. Cefalexin, Vetranal(tm), Analytical Standard

203. C-2660

204. C06895

205. D00263

206. H10995

207. S-6437

208. Cephalexin, Antibiotic For Culture Media Use Only

209. Q411417

210. Q-200819

211. Brd-k90733503-002-03-6

212. Cefalexin, British Pharmacopoeia (bp) Reference Standard

213. Cephalexin Monohydrate, Antibiotic For Culture Media Use Only

214. Cephalexin, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material

215. 7-(d-.alpha.-amino-.alpha.-phenylacetamido)-3-methyl-3-cephem-4-carboxylic Acid

216. 7beta-[(2r)-2-amino-2-phenylacetamido]-3-methyl-3,4-didehydrocepham-4-carboxylic Acid

217. (6r,7r)-7-((r)-2-amino-2-phenyl-acetylamino)-3-methyl-8-oxo-5-thia-1-aza-bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic Acid

218. (6r,7r)-7-((r)-2-amino-2-phenylacetamido)-3-methyl-8-oxo-5-thia-1-aza-bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic Acid

219. 5-thia-1-azabicyclo(4.2.0)oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic Acid, 7-((aminophenylacetyl)amino)-3-methyl-8-oxo-,(6r-(6.alpha.,7.beta.(r*)))-

2.4 Create Date
2005-06-24
3 Chemical and Physical Properties
Molecular Weight 347.4 g/mol
Molecular Formula C16H17N3O4S
XLogP30.6
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count3
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count6
Rotatable Bond Count4
Exact Mass347.09397721 g/mol
Monoisotopic Mass347.09397721 g/mol
Topological Polar Surface Area138 Ų
Heavy Atom Count24
Formal Charge0
Complexity600
Isotope Atom Count0
Defined Atom Stereocenter Count3
Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count0
Defined Bond Stereocenter Count0
Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count0
Covalently Bonded Unit Count1
4 Drug and Medication Information
4.1 Drug Information
1 of 4  
Drug NameCephalexin
PubMed HealthCephalexin (By mouth)
Drug ClassesAntibiotic
Drug LabelCephalexin, USP is a semisynthetic cephalosporin antibiotic intended for oral administration. It is 7- (D--Amino--phenylacetamido)-3-methyl-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid monohydrate. Cephalexin has the molecular formula C16H17N3O4S H2O and the m...
Active IngredientCephalexin
Dosage FormTablet; Capsule; For suspension
RouteOral
Strengtheq 750mg base; eq 250mg base/5ml; eq 500mg base; eq 333mg base; eq 250mg base; eq 125mg base/5ml
Market StatusPrescription
CompanyRanbaxy; Sun Pharm Inds (in); Belcher Pharms; Teva; Yung Shin Pharm; Alkem Labs; Aurobindo Pharma; Lupin; Hikma Pharms; Orchid Hlthcare; Hikma

2 of 4  
Drug NameKeflex
PubMed HealthCephalexin (By mouth)
Drug ClassesAntibiotic
Drug LabelKeflex Capsules (Cephalexin, USP) is a semisynthetic cephalosporin antibiotic intended for oral administration. It is 7-(D--Amino--phenylacetamido)-3-methyl-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid monohydrate. Cephalexin has the molecular formula C16H17N3O4...
Active IngredientCephalexin
Dosage FormCapsule
RouteOral
Strengtheq 750mg base; eq 500mg base; eq 250mg base
Market StatusPrescription
CompanyShionogi

3 of 4  
Drug NameCephalexin
PubMed HealthCephalexin (By mouth)
Drug ClassesAntibiotic
Drug LabelCephalexin, USP is a semisynthetic cephalosporin antibiotic intended for oral administration. It is 7- (D--Amino--phenylacetamido)-3-methyl-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid monohydrate. Cephalexin has the molecular formula C16H17N3O4S H2O and the m...
Active IngredientCephalexin
Dosage FormTablet; Capsule; For suspension
RouteOral
Strengtheq 750mg base; eq 250mg base/5ml; eq 500mg base; eq 333mg base; eq 250mg base; eq 125mg base/5ml
Market StatusPrescription
CompanyRanbaxy; Sun Pharm Inds (in); Belcher Pharms; Teva; Yung Shin Pharm; Alkem Labs; Aurobindo Pharma; Lupin; Hikma Pharms; Orchid Hlthcare; Hikma

4 of 4  
Drug NameKeflex
PubMed HealthCephalexin (By mouth)
Drug ClassesAntibiotic
Drug LabelKeflex Capsules (Cephalexin, USP) is a semisynthetic cephalosporin antibiotic intended for oral administration. It is 7-(D--Amino--phenylacetamido)-3-methyl-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid monohydrate. Cephalexin has the molecular formula C16H17N3O4...
Active IngredientCephalexin
Dosage FormCapsule
RouteOral
Strengtheq 750mg base; eq 500mg base; eq 250mg base
Market StatusPrescription
CompanyShionogi

4.2 Therapeutic Uses

Cephalosporins

National Library of Medicine's Medical Subject Headings online file (MeSH, 1999)


/CEPHALEXIN/ HAS ANTIBACTERIAL SPECTRUM SIMILAR TO THAT OF PENICILLINS... AGAINST COCCI & GRAM-POSITIVE BACILLI, PENICILLIN G IS USUALLY MORE EFFECTIVE. ...MOST PENICILLINASES DO NOT AFFECT CEPHALEXIN...

Osol, A. and J.E. Hoover, et al. (eds.). Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences. 15th ed. Easton, Pennsylvania: Mack Publishing Co., 1975., p. 1119


...CEPHALOSPORINS ARE HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN THERAPY OF VARIETY OF MILD-TO-SEVERE INFECTIONS DUE TO BOTH GRAM-POSITIVE & GRAM-NEGATIVE MICROORGANISMS. /CEPHALOSPORINS/

Gilman, A.G., T.W. Rall, A.S. Nies and P. Taylor (eds.). Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 8th ed. New York, NY. Pergamon Press, 1990., p. 1088


...CEPHALOSPORIN IS...DRUG OF 1ST CHOICE...FOR KLEBSIELLA INFECTIONS. ... THEY ARE...VALUABLE SECONDARY AGENTS, & THEY FREQUENTLY APPEAR AS ALTERNATIVE CHOICES TO PENICILLIN. /CEPHALOSPORINS/

Gilman, A.G., T.W. Rall, A.S. Nies and P. Taylor (eds.). Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 8th ed. New York, NY. Pergamon Press, 1990., p. 1091


For more Therapeutic Uses (Complete) data for CEPHALEXIN (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page.


4.3 Drug Warning

PHYSICIAN MUST ALTER EITHER DRUG DOSAGE OR INTERVAL BETWEEN DOSES WHEN RENAL FUNCTION IS IMPAIRED.

Goodman, L.S., and A. Gilman. (eds.) The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 5th ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1975., p. 1161


CEPHALOSPORINS SHOULD NOT BE USED TO TREAT BACTERIAL MENINGITIS. THIS IS TRUE FOR ALL CAUSATIVE MICROORGANISMS. ...PENETRATION OF CEPHALOSPORINS INTO CSF IS POOR. /CEPHALOSPORINS/

Goodman, L.S., and A. Gilman. (eds.) The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 5th ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1975., p. 1164


INFECTIONS DUE TO ENTEROCOCCI ARE USUALLY UNAFFECTED BY THESE CMPD... ENTEROCOCCAL ENDOCARDITIS CANNOT BE CURED WITH CEPHALOSPORIN EVEN WHEN IT IS GIVEN CONCURRENTLY WITH GENTAMICIN OR STREPTOMYCIN. /CEPHALOSPORINS/

Goodman, L.S., and A. Gilman. (eds.) The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 5th ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1975., p. 1163


ENTEROBACTER (AEROBACTER) INFECTIONS ARE, AS A RULE, RESISTANT TO THESE CMPD. /CEPHALOSPORINS/

Goodman, L.S., and A. Gilman. (eds.) The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 5th ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1975., p. 1163


For more Drug Warnings (Complete) data for CEPHALEXIN (20 total), please visit the HSDB record page.


4.4 Drug Indication

Cephalexin is indicated for the treatment of certain infections caused by susceptible bacteria. These infections include respiratory tract infections, otitis media, skin and skin structure infections, bone infections, and genitourinary tract infections.


FDA Label


5 Pharmacology and Biochemistry
5.1 Pharmacology

Cephalexin (also called Cefalexin) is a first generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It is one of the most widely prescribed antibiotics, often used for the treatment of superficial infections that result as complications of minor wounds or lacerations. It is effective against most gram-positive bacteria through its inihibition of the cross linking reaction between N-acetyl muramicacid and N-acetylglucosamine in the cell wall, leading to cell lysis.


5.2 MeSH Pharmacological Classification

Anti-Bacterial Agents

Substances that inhibit the growth or reproduction of BACTERIA. (See all compounds classified as Anti-Bacterial Agents.)


5.3 FDA Pharmacological Classification
5.3.1 Active Moiety
CEPHALEXIN ANHYDROUS
5.3.2 FDA UNII
5SFF1W6677
5.3.3 Pharmacological Classes
Cephalosporins [CS]; Cephalosporin Antibacterial [EPC]
5.4 ATC Code

J01DB01

S76 | LUXPHARMA | Pharmaceuticals Marketed in Luxembourg | Pharmaceuticals marketed in Luxembourg, as published by d'Gesondheetskeess (CNS, la caisse nationale de sante, www.cns.lu), mapped by name to structures using CompTox by R. Singh et al. (in prep.). List downloaded from https://cns.public.lu/en/legislations/textes-coordonnes/liste-med-comm.html. Dataset DOI:10.5281/zenodo.4587355


J - Antiinfectives for systemic use

J01 - Antibacterials for systemic use

J01D - Other beta-lactam antibacterials

J01DB - First-generation cephalosporins

J01DB01 - Cefalexin


5.5 Absorption, Distribution and Excretion

Absorption

Well absorbed from the upper gastrointestinal tract with nearly 100% oral bioavailability. Cephalexin is not absorbed in the stomach but is absorbed in the upper intestine. Patients taking 250mg of cephalexin reach a maximum plasma concentration of 7.7mcg/mL and patients taking 500mg reach 12.3mcg/mL.


Route of Elimination

Cephalexin is over 90% excreted in the urine after 6 hours by glomerular filtration and tubular secretion with a mean urinary recovery of 99.3%. Cephalexin is unchanged in the urine.


Volume of Distribution

5.2-5.8L.


Clearance

Clearance from one subject was 376mL/min.


LESS THAN 10 TO 15%...IS BOUND TO PLASMA PROTEIN, & PLASMA DRUG CONCN FALL RAPIDLY... MORE THAN 90%...IS EXCRETED UNALTERED IN URINE WITHIN 6 HR, PRIMARILY BY RENAL TUBULAR SECRETION. ...THERAPEUTICALLY EFFECTIVE CONCN ARE STILL ACHIEVED IN URINE OF PT WITH DECR RENAL FUNCTION.

Goodman, L.S., and A. Gilman. (eds.) The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 5th ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1975., p. 1161


CEPHALEXIN...IS WELL ABSORBED FROM GI TRACT. PEAK PLASMA CONCN, REACHED @ ABOUT 1 HR AFTER INGESTION OF DRUG, ARE APPROX 9 & 18 UG/ML AFTER ORAL DOSES OF 250 & 500 MG, RESPECTIVELY. INGESTION OF FOOD MAY DELAY ABSORPTION.

Goodman, L.S., and A. Gilman. (eds.) The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 5th ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1975., p. 1161


CEPHALEXIN IS ALSO EXCRETED INTO BILE.

Goodman, L.S., and A. Gilman. (eds.) The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 5th ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1975., p. 1162


BOTH ABSORPTION & EXCRETION OF CEPHALEXIN ARE IMPAIRED IN NEW-BORN INFANTS, WHERE 24-HR URINARY RECOVERY OF ANTIBIOTIC ACCOUNTED FOR 5-66% OF DAILY ORAL DOSE.

The Chemical Society. Foreign Compound Metabolism in Mammals Volume 3. London: The Chemical Society, 1975., p. 177


For more Absorption, Distribution and Excretion (Complete) data for CEPHALEXIN (14 total), please visit the HSDB record page.


5.6 Metabolism/Metabolites

Cephalexin is not metabolized in the body.


5.7 Biological Half-Life

The half life of cephalexin is 49.5 minutes in a fasted state and 76.5 minutes with food though these times were not significantly different in the study.


LESS THAN 10 TO 15%...IS BOUND TO PLASMA PROTEIN, & PLASMA DRUG CONCN FALL RAPIDLY, T/2 OF CEPHALEXIN NORMALLY BEING ABOUT 40 MIN.

Goodman, L.S., and A. Gilman. (eds.) The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 5th ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1975., p. 1161


/IN RATS/ RATIOS OF BONE TO SERUM CONCN AVG...1:9 FOR CEPHALEXIN DURING 0.25-4 HR AFTER /ORAL/ DOSING. DESPITE DIFFERENCES IN CONCN; T/2 IN BONE & SERUM WERE SIMILAR.

The Chemical Society. Foreign Compound Metabolism in Mammals. Volume 2: A Review of the Literature Published Between 1970 and 1971. London: The Chemical Society, 1972., p. 452


PEAK TIME, T/2 OF ELIMINATION, T/2 OF ABSORPTION, & VOL OF DISTRIBUTION WERE ALL SIMILAR FOLOWING ADMIN OF EITHER 1 OR 2 G OF CEPHALEXIN.

PMID:438352 CHOW M ET AL; J CLIN PHARMACOL 19 (4): 185-94 (1979)


The serum half-life of cephalexin is 0.5-1.2 hr in adults with normal renal function. The serum half-life of the drug is reported to be about 5 hr in neonates and 2.5 hr in children 3-12 mo of age. In one study, the serum half-life was 7.7 hr in adults with creatinine clearances of 9.2 ml/min and 13.9 hr in adults with creatinine clearances of 4 ml/min.

McEvoy, G.K. (ed.). American Hospital Formulary Service - Drug Information 95. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Hospital Pharmacists, Inc., 1995 (Plus Supplements 1995)., p. 166


5.8 Mechanism of Action

Cephalexin is a first generation cephalosporin antibiotic. Cephalosporins contain a beta lactam and dihydrothiazide. Unlike penicillins, cephalosprins are more resistant to the action of beta lactamase. Cephalexin inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis, leading breakdown and eventualy cell death.


CEPHALOTHIN & ITS CONGENERS INHIBIT BACTERIAL CELL-WALL SYNTHESIS IN MANNER SIMILAR TO THAT OF PENICILLIN. /CEPHALOSPORINS/

Goodman, L.S., and A. Gilman. (eds.) The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 5th ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1975., p. 1160


The penicillins and their metabolites are potent immunogens because of their ability to combine with proteins and act as haptens for acute antibody-mediated reactions. The most frequent (about 95 percent) or "major" determinant of penicillin allergy is the penicilloyl determinant produced by opening the beta-lactam ring of the penicillin. This allows linkage of the penicillin to protein at the amide group. "Minor" determinants (less frequent) are the other metabolites formed, including native penicillin and penicilloic acids. /Penicillins/

Haddad, L.M., Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Co., 1990., p. 953


Bactericidal; action depends on ability to reach and bind penicillin-binding proteins located in bacterial cytoplasmic membranes; cephalosporins inhibit bacterial septum and cell wall synthesis, probably by acylation of membrane-bound transpeptidase enzymes. This prevents cross-linkage of peptidoglycan chains, which is necessary for bacterial cell wall strength and rigidity. Also, cell division and growth are inhibited, and lysis and elongation of susceptible bacteria frequently occur. Rapidly dividing bacteria are those most susceptible to the action of cephalosporins. /Cephalosporins/

USP Convention. USPDI - Drug Information for the Health Care Professional. 15 th ed. Volume 1. Rockville, MD: United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc., 1995. (Plus updates.), p. 679


CEPHALOSPORIN C IS VERY RESISTANT TO ACTION OF PENICILLINASE, FOR WHICH IT IS BOTH COMPETITIVE & NONCOMPETITIVE INHIBITOR, DEPENDING ON SUBSTRATE TESTED... /CEPHALOSPORINS/

Goodman, L.S., and A. Gilman. (eds.) The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 5th ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1975., p. 1160