What it means
A beta-lactam antibiotic that works mostly against gram-positive bacteria such as staphylococci and streptococci. It is used for cellulitissel-yoo-LY-tisA bacterial infection of the deeper layers of the skin and the tissue just under it.cellul small cell-itis inflammationFull entry , other skin infections, some urinary tract infectionYUR-ih-nair-ee TRAKT in-FEK-shunAn infection anywhere in the urinary tract: the kidneys, ureters, bladder or urethra.Full entry , strep throat and ear infections. Side effects include diarrhea, nausea and rash.
For the nurse
Ask about allergies before giving: a small number of people with a penicillin allergy also react to cephalosporins, and those with a severe penicillin reaction need the provider's review. Teach the client to finish the course and report watery diarrhea, which can mean C. difficile.
At a glance
| Drug class | antibiotic (cephalosporin, first generation) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Keflex |
| Spanish | cefalexina |
| Also written | Keflex |
Easy to confuse with
levetiracetam
An anticonvulsant drug, given by mouth or IV, used to prevent and treat seizures.
Related terms
C. difficile
Clostridioides difficile, a spore-forming bacterium that can infect the colon (the large intestine).
antibiotic
A drug that kills bacteria or stops them from growing.
Staphylococcus
A group of round bacteria that grow in grape-like clusters and often live on the skin and in the nose.
cellulitis
A bacterial infection of the deeper layers of the skin and the tissue just under it.