Cephalexin in the Treatment of Cellulitis
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin and the tissues below your skin, which has the potential to be life-threatening if allowed to spread. Doctors rely upon a number of treatments for cellulitis, including the use of cephalexin.
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Identification
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Cephalexin is a prescription medication known as a cephalosporin antibiotic.
Function
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In your body, cephalexin prevents the bacteria that causes cellulitis from forming a protective structure known as a cell wall around their cells. Without this cell wall, your immune system is able to destroy the infection.
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Types
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When the infection is in its early stages, doctors typically prescribe oral cephalexin, while more advanced cases require hospitalization so that doctors can administer cephalexin intravenously, reports the Merck Medical Manual.
Time Frame
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Treatment of cellulitis with cephalexin typically requires 10 to 14 days of the drug, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Risks
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The most common side effect of cephalexin is diarrhea, which is usually minor, though in some cases is caused by a serious inflammation of the colon known as pseudomembraneous colitis. Some patients develop life-threatening allergic reactions to cephalexin, causing anaphylactic shock or potentially fatal skin conditions, such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, cautions RxList.
Considerations
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Because cephalexin has been shown to cause birth defects in laboratory animals, doctors reserve use of the drug in pregnant women to situations where there is no safe alternative to treatment. If you have a history of allergic reactions to cephalosporin antibiotics, it is not safe for you to take cephalexin, warns RxList.
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