Cephalexin is a cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotic. It works by fighting bacteria in your body.

Cephalexin is used to treat infections caused by bacteria, including upper respiratory infections, ear infections, skin infections, urinary tract infections and bone infections.

Cephalexin is used to treat infections in adults and children who are at least 1 year old.

Warnings

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to cephalexin or to similar antibiotics, such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Omnicef, and others. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, especially penicillins or other antibiotics.

Before taking this medicine

Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to cephalexin or to other cephalosporin antibiotics, such as:

• cefaclor (Ceclor, Raniclor);
• cefadroxil (Duricef);
• cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol);
• cefdinir (Omnicef);
• cefditoren (Spectracef);
• cefpodoxime (Vantin);
• cefprozil (Cefzil);
• ceftibuten (Cedax);
• cefuroxime (Ceftin); and others

To make sure cephalexin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had

• an allergy to any drug (especially penicillin);
• liver or kidney disease; or
• intestinal problems, such as colitis.

Cephalexin is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

Cephalexin can pass into breast milk. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take cephalexin?

Take cephalexin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Do not use cephalexin to treat any condition that has not been checked by your doctor.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Use cephalexin for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. This medicine will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

Do not share cephalexin with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using this medicine.

Store the tablets and capsules at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Store the liquid medicine in the refrigerator. Throw away any unused liquid after 14 days.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line .

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, and blood in your urine.

What to avoid

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine.

Cephalexin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to cephalexin (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose);
• unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath;
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding, purple or red spots under your skin;
• a seizure;
• pale skin, cold hands and feet;
• yellowed skin, dark colored urine;
• fever, weakness; or
• pain in your side or lower back, painful urination.

Common cephalexin side effects may include:

• diarrhea;
• nausea, vomiting;
• indigestion, stomach pain; or
• vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

What other drugs will affect cephalexin?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• metformin; or
• probenecid.

Cefixime is an antibiotic that may be used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria.

Cefixime stops bacteria from forming a cell wall, which bacteria need to survive. This decreases the number of bacteria in your body, which helps your body fight the infection.

Cefixime was FDA approved in 1989.

Warnings

You should not take cefixime if you are allergic to cefixime, or to similar antibiotics, such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Keflex, Omnicef, and others. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to penicillins.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to cefixime or to other cephalosporin antibiotics, such as:

• cefaclor (Raniclor);
• cefadroxil (Duricef);
• cefazolin (Ancef);
• cefdinir (Omnicef);
• cefditoren (Spectracef);
• cefpodoxime (Vantin);
• cefprozil (Cefzil);
• ceftibuten (Cedax);
• cefuroxime (Ceftin);
• cephalexin (Keflex);
• cephradine (Velosef); and others.

To make sure cefixime is safe for you, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, especially penicillins.

The chewable tablet form of cefixime may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

It is not known whether cefixime will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether cefixime passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You may need to stop nursing while you are taking cefixime.

The cefixime suspension (liquid) contains sucrose. Talk to your doctor before using this form of cefixime if you have diabetes.

How should I take cefixime?

Follow all directions on your cefixime label. Do not take cefixime in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

You may take cefixime with or without food.

The cefixime chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.

Shake the oral cefixime suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Cefixime can cause unusual results with certain lab tests for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are taking this medication.

Use cefixime for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Cefixime will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Store cefixime at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

You may also store cefixime oral liquid in the refrigerator. Throw away any unused liquid after 14 days.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose of cefixime as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line .

What should I avoid while taking cefixime?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Cefixime side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to cefixime: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Cefixime may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, confusion or weakness;
• a seizure (convulsions);
• low blood cell counts–sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, flu-like symptoms, swollen gums, mouth sores, skin sores, rapid heart rate, pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, feeling light-headed;
• kidney problems–little or no urination, painful or difficult urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath; or
• severe skin reaction–fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects of cefixime may include:

• indigestion, stomach pain;
• nausea, vomiting; or
• vaginal itching or discharge.

Cefdinir is a cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotic that is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria.

Cefdinir may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Cefdinir side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Cefdinir may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose);
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding;
• seizure (convulsions);
• fever, weakness, confusion;
• dark colored urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• kidney problems–little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath.

Common side effects of cefdinir may include:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea;
• vaginal itching or discharge;
• headache; or
• rash (including diaper rash in an infant taking liquid cefdinir.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Warnings

Do not take cefdinir if you are allergic to cefdinir, or to similar antibiotics, such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Keflex, and others.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to cefdinir or any other cephalosporin antibiotic (cefadroxil, cefprozil, cefazolin, cefalexin, Keflex, and others).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• intestinal problems, such as colitis; or
• an allergy to any drugs (especially penicillins).

Cefdinir liquid contains sucrose. Talk to your doctor before using this form of cefdinir if you have diabetes.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How should I take cefdinir?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medicine guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

You may take cefdinir with or without food.

Use cefdinir for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Cefdinir will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

Cefdinir can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using cefdinir.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Throw away any unused cefdinir liquid that is older than 10 days.

Cefdinir dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Pneumonia:

Community acquired: 300 mg orally every 12 hours for 10 to 14 days

Usual Adult Dose for Bronchitis:

Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis: 300 mg orally every 12 hours for 5 to 10 days or 600 mg orally every 24 hours for 10 days

Usual Adult Dose for Sinusitis:

Acute maxillary sinusitis: 300 mg orally every 12 hours or 600 mg orally every 24 hours for 10 days

Usual Adult Dose for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection:

Uncomplicated: 300 mg orally every 12 hours for 10 days

Usual Adult Dose for Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis:

300 mg orally every 12 hours for 5 to 10 days or 600 mg orally every 24 hours for 10 days

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pneumonia:

Community acquired:
13 years or older: 300 mg orally every 12 hours for 10 to 14 days

Usual Pediatric Dose for Bronchitis:

Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis:
13 years or older: 300 mg orally every 12 hours for 5 to 10 days or 600 mg orally every 24 hours for 10 days

Usual Pediatric Dose for Otitis Media:

Acute bacterial otitis media:
6 months through 12 years: 7 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 5 to 10 days or 14 mg/kg orally every 24 hours for 10 days
Maximum dose: 600 mg/day

Usual Pediatric Dose for Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis:

6 months through 12 years: 7 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 5 to 10 days or 14 mg/kg orally every 24 hours for 10 days
Maximum dose: 600 mg/day

13 years or older: 300 mg orally every 12 hours for 5 to 10 days or 600 mg orally every 24 hours for 10 days

Usual Pediatric Dose for Sinusitis:

Acute maxillary sinusitis:
6 months through 12 years: 7 mg/kg orally every 12 hours or 14 mg/kg orally every 24 hours for 10 days
Maximum dose: 600 mg/day

13 years or older: 300 mg orally every 12 hours or 600 mg orally every 24 hours for 10 days

Usual Pediatric Dose for Skin and Structure Infection:

Uncomplicated:
6 months through 12 years: 7 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 10 days
Maximum dose: 600 mg/day

13 years or older: 300 mg orally every 12 hours for 10 days

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line .

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, or a seizure.

What should I avoid while taking cefdinir?

Avoid using antacids or mineral supplements that contain aluminum, magnesium, or iron within 2 hours before or after taking cefdinir. Antacids or iron can make it harder for your body to absorb cefdinir. This does not include baby formula fortified with iron.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine.

Beyfortus is used to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract disease in neonates and infants under 1 year born during or entering their first RSV season. It may also be given to children up to 24 months of age who remain at risk of severe RSV disease through their second RSV season. Beyfortus helps to protect healthy and at-risk infants from RSV complications and hospitalizations by providing rapid, long-lasting passive immunity against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). 

Beyfortus contains a long-acting monoclonal antibody, called nirsevimab-alip, that targets the RSV F protein, stopping the virus from entering cells and multiplying, and causing infections. 

Beyfortus is used in newborns and infants in their first RSV season from autumn to spring. It is administered as a single intramuscular injection (into the muscle) of the upper thigh for protection through a typical RSV season of 5 months.

Beyfortus gained FDA approval on July 17, 2023, following positive results of three clinical trials (MELODY phase IIb trial [Trial 03], NCT02878330; MELODY phase III trial [Trial 04], NCT03979313; and MEDLEY phase II/III [Trial 05], NCT03959488).

• In healthy late preterm and term infants, Beyfortus reduced medically attended RSV lower respiratory tract infections by 74.5%, hospitalizations by 76.8%, and very severe infections by 78.6%.
• Beyfortus demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile in high-risk infants. 

Side effects

The most common side effects of Beyfortus are:

• a rash
• pain, swelling, or a hard area at the site of your child’s injection. 

Serious side effects and warnings

Beyfortus may cause the following serious side effects:

• Serious allergic reactions. Beyfortus may cause serious allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions, including anaphylaxis. Your child should not receive Beyfortus if they have had serious allergic reactions in the past to nirsevimab-alip, Beyfortus, or any inactive ingredients in the Beyfortus injection. Get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms of a serious allergic reaction:
  • swelling of the face, mouth, or tongue
  • difficulty swallowing or breathing
  • unresponsiveness or loss of muscle tone (goes floppy)
  • bluish color of skin, lips, or under the fingernails
  • muscle weakness
  • severe rash, hives (urticaria), or itching.

It is not known if Beyfortus is safe and effective in children older than 24 months of age.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Beyfortus. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Before taking

Your child should not receive the Beyfortus vaccine if they have had serious allergic reactions in the past to nirsevimab-alip, Beyfortus, or any inactive ingredients in the Beyfortus injection.

Before your child receives Beyfortus, tell your healthcare provider about all of your child’s medical conditions, including if your child:

• has ever reacted Beyfortus or nirsevimab-alip
• has bleeding or bruising problems. If your child has a problem with bleeding or bruises easily, an injection could cause a problem.

How is Beyfortus administered?

Beyfortus is given by a healthcare provider as an injection into the upper thigh.

• Usually, only 1 dose is needed.
• A second dose may be given if your child remains at increased risk for RSV the following year.

Your child should be given Beyfortus before or during the RSV season. 

• RSV season is usually late fall (November) through spring (April), with a peak in January and February.
• Your child may still get RSV disease after receiving Beyfortus. Talk to your child’s healthcare provider about what symptoms to look for.

If your child has heart surgery, your child’s healthcare provider may need to give your child an additional Beyfortus injection soon after surgery.

Beyfortus can be administered at the same time as childhood vaccines, at a different injection site. Do not mix Beyfortus with any vaccines or medications in the same syringe or vial.

Dosing information

Dose of Beyfortus for infants aged under 1 year born during or entering their first RSV season:

• Weight less than 5 kg (11 lb): 50 mg as a single injection.
• Weight more than or equal to 5 kg (11 lb): 100 mg as a single injection.

Dose of Beyfortus for children who remain vulnerable through their second RSV season:

• Any weight: 200 mg administered as two IM injections (2 x 100 mg injections).

Is Beyfortus a vaccine?

Technically, Beyfortus is not a vaccine, because it provides infants with the antibodies needed to protect them against RSV, unlike vaccines that teach your immune system to make its own antibodies.

• This is called passive immunity.
• Beyfortus protects your baby immediately from getting sick with RSV.
• The protection lasts around 5 months.

Beyfortus cost

Beyfortus is included in the approved immunization schedule and may be available at no cost for parents through private health insurance companies and the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.

What other drugs will affect Beyfortus?

Other drugs may interact with Beyfortus, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all the current medicines your baby takes. Especially tell your healthcare provider if your baby:

• has received palivizumab (another monoclonal antibody for RSV) recently
• receives anticoagulants (such as heparin or warfarin).

Ingredients

Active ingredients: nirsevimab-alip.
Inactive ingredients: L-histidine, L-histidine hydrochloride, L-arginine hydrochloride, sucrose, polysorbate 80, water for injections.

Available as:

• Beyfortus 50 mg/0.5 mL in a single-dose pre-filled syringe
• Beyfortus 100 mg/1 mL in a single-dose pre-filled syringe.

Company

Beyfortus is manufactured by Astra Zeneca AB, Södertälje, Sweden, and distributed by Sanofi Pasteur, Inc., Swiftwater, PA 18370 USA.

Beyfortus Biosimilars

Biosimilar and interchangeable products are biological products that are highly similar to and have no clinically meaningful differences from the reference product.

Reference products

These are biological products that have already been approved by the FDA, against which biosimilar products are compared. There is 1 for Beyfortus.Beyfortus (nirsevimab-alip) – AstraZeneca AB