Keftab
Cephalexin
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Keftab
Keftab is a cephalosporin antibiotic. These cephalosporin antibiotics are similar to penicillin in action and side effects. These drugs prevent the bacterial cell wall formation, so bacteria can not multiply. The bacterial cell wall is the organ in bacteria that keeps the bacterial contents together and protects the bacteria from external environment. So without the cell wall bacteria can not survive and multiply. The bacteria which are sensitive to Keftab (Cephalexin) are Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, E. coli and many others.
Therapeutic Uses of Keftab
Keftab is used in the treatment of wide variety of bacterial infection like skin, bone and genitourinary tract infections (which are sensitive to Keftab). Keftab is also used in the treatment of infections like middle ear and inner ear infections, bronchitis, tonsillitis, respiratory tract infection etc. It can also be used in many other infections that is determined by your doctor.
Direction of use of Keftab
Keftab is taken orally every 6 hourly or 12 hourly or as directed by your doctor. Ideally it should be taken with food to avoid stomach upset and stomach irritation. Like other antibiotics Keftab acts best if the level of it is maintained at constant level, so it should be taken at evenly separated time and the dosing followed strictly. Keep taking the medicine for the full course even if you feel better after taking few doses. If you stop the medicine before completing the full course it may cause relapse of infection as the bacteria will keep growing in absence of Keftab, if all the infection is not cleared by full course of antibiotic. If you symptoms persists or become worse, you should consult your doctor.
If You Miss a Dose of Keftab
If you miss a dose of Keftab take it as soon as you can remember it. If it is almost time for the next dose than skip the missed dose and go back to your normal schedule. If you miss more than 1 dose successively, consult your doctor because you may need to restart the antibiotic course afresh. Do not take 2 doses of Keftab at a time unless your doctor tells you to take.
How to Store Keftab
Keftab should be stored at temperature of 59 to 86 degree Fahrenheit or 15 to 30 degree Centigrade. It should be stored away from heat, light and moisture and kept out of reach of children. Do not store it in bath room as it should be stored in a dry place.
More Information About Keftab
- If you experience any side effects like allergic reactions; rash, redness, or itching; blood or mucous in the stool; severe nausea; persistent vomiting; severe diarrhea; abnormal bleeding or bruising etc. you should stop taking Keftab and consult your doctor.
- There may also be some other less serious side effects of Keftab like mild nausea, vomiting or diarrhea; some yeast (a fungus) infection in mouth or vagina. You should keep taking Keftab if you get the minor or less serious side effects and consult your doctor.
- You may experience some other side effects which are not listed above. If you experience any side effects that are not listed above, you should get immediate medical attention.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Keftab
The following precautions should be taken while taking Keftab:
- Before taking Keftab you should inform your doctor if you allergic to Keftab, penicillins or other cephalosporins or if you have allergy to any other substance.
- During pregnancy Keftab should be used only if clearly indicated. You should discuss with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Keftab during pregnancy. Keftab can pass to the breast milk and you should consult your doctor before giving breast feed to your baby.
- Keftab can reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptive (combined pills) pills. And this can result in unwanted pregnancy. If you are using birth control pills and need to take Keftab at the same time than you will need additional contraception like condom, diaphragm etc. You should consult your doctor and decide which contraceptive method will be better for you.
- If you have or have history of kidney disease, intestinal disease like colitis, you should tell your doctor before you start taking Keftab.
- If you have to use Keftab, you should inform your doctor if you are taking any herbal medicine, prescription medicine (especially probenecid), OTC (over the counter) medicines or any live vaccines.
- If you are taking Keftab, it may give false positive results with certain diabetic urine testing products. This medicine also may affect certain lab results. Make sure that your doctor and lab personnel know that you are taking Keftab. You should not start or stop any medicine without consulting your doctor.
Possible Adverse Effects of Keftab
- Inform your doctor immediately if you develop any of the serious side effects like mental change or mood change.
- Stomach upset, headache, fatigue, dizziness, or diarrhea etc. are common side effects and you should tell your doctor if these side effects bother you or persist for longer duration than usual.
- If you are taking Keftab, do not take any anti diarrhea product or any narcotic pain killers if you have pain or diarrhea. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, stomach pain, stomach cramp, blood or mucus in your stool.
- Keftab can rarely cause a severe form of intestinal condition known as pseudomembranous colitis, which is due to resistant bacteria. Pseudomembranous colitis can occur during treatment with Keftab or may be weeks after treatment.
- Use of Keftab can cause for prolonged period or repeatedly can cause oral thrush or oral candidiasis and or fungal infection of vagina. You should consult your doctor if you notice any white patch in your mouth, or any change in vaginal discharge.
- Inform your doctor if you develop any highly unlikely but very serious side effects like severe abdominal pain, severe stomach pain, persistent nausea or vomiting, dark color urine, easy bruising or bleeding, changes in the quantity of urine, yellowing eyes or skin, or new signs of infections like fever, persistent sore throat etc.
- An allergic reaction to Keftab is unlikely but may occur and if allergic reaction develops in you, get immediate medical attention. Symptoms of allergic reaction are rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, difficulty in breathing etc.
- If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or other health care provider.