Cephalexin Monohydrate side effects

OMG! I'm afraid to take this medication, after reading all of your posts!
I got an infection in my left knee from falling onto the concrete side walk. and the on-call doc. prescribed it 4x a day 500mg. I think I'll wait to see my own dr. this Friday. I am allergic to pen.G and sulfa. I don't think the on-call doc knows this. better to be safe then sorry.
thanks for all your informative posts! I love this forum!
L.

I am on two 500 mg doses of cephalexin daily to help heal a bug bite..Still waiting for the biopsy to come back. Doctor suggested could be a brown spider bite. Definitely want to stop the skin deterioration and get the wound from where the bite was removed healed but the itching started on day 3 on my stomach and has now spread to entire torso, back, insides of arms and legs. I have tried aveeno baths, benadryl (knocks me out) and eucerin itch-relief. Today I coated my entire body with 1% hydrocortisone with little relief. HELP - I am scratching to the point of bleeding and now that I have read these other comments will NOT take another one of these pills. Any other OTC relief anyone has found?

Someone help how long is this itchy ras going to last??? I took 500 mg once a day for 3 days before I stopped taking it.. It has been 4 days rash is on my breasts, thighs and stomach. It is itchy I'm ready to tear my skin off. I tried creams & over the counter meds. Someone just tell me when is it going to stop.. I hate Cephalexin!!!!

Was prescribed Cephalexin in the ER after stitches. Took it 4x a day for 5 days. After completed, I developed a rash all over my body -- I have been itching for 4 days now with no relief. Tried Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec, Cortisone cream and Calamine lotin. No relief in sight-- I will never take this antibiotic again.

I was prescribed Cephalexin for an infection on my leg. After a couple days I had a hard time breathing, felt light headed and like my airway was partially closed off. I was very tired & sick to my stomach. I didn't hardly eat for a couple days because I just wasn't hungry. I skipped my pill at bed time to see what would happen and by the time I woke up I was definitely feeling better, so I didn't finish out the prescription. The infection did go away though.

Please refer to ifitiches Feb 26 & March 16
Appears I was infected by Scabies, I can only guess where I picked it up.
A natural coincidence so it would appear, so I cannot blame Cephalexin
Monohydrate any more. My apology.

I was prescribed cephalexin after my sinus surgery on 2/18/09.
The itching started a week after I started the drug. Itching started around the anal area and spread all over the body. Now into 4th week, it's not any better. The doctor doesn't think it was the drug. Why, I have no idea. What else could it be?
So frustrating.

Please refer to 26- 2 -09 ifititches
I still have an ongoing problem with intensive skin itching.
It appears that I may have accused cephalexin monohydrate incorrectly.

When dermatology results are complete I will post a report.

I had a skin infection on my lower legs and was prescribed Cephalexin Monohydrate. I took it for 6 days, 4x per day, then stopped. I was supposed to continue on 2x per day for the next week.
I started itching at the top half of my buttocks and it quickly spread all over my back, chest, shoulders, arms and onto my scalp. Small lumps or hives and red blotchy skin nearly all over my old body. The itching was driving me crazy. I didn't know where to scratch or rub next.
My doctor couldn't see me for another week so I went to see another doctor who prescribed Phenergan (promethazine hydrochloride) tablets and Celestone M (betamethasone) cream.
Relief came within 24 hrs, I went through 4 days of hell and while still itchy on the 5th day, it was getting better. I also used ionil T ( a medicated shampoo ) for my scalp.
I have never been allergic to any drugs before this monster
This antibiotic should come with a warning

I have been on 500mg 2x day for 10days. I am on day 4 and I have so much gas I can fly to venus, saturn and mars. I take the meds with food so that my tummy will not get upset. I have had no other problems. The gas is embarrassing.

took cephalexin for 6 days 500mg/4xdaily, after breast reduction surgery. at first i saw no side effects, but two days in i began to lose feeling in my arms. i've heard a lot of people say they felt nauseous, which i didn't, but i woke up on the fifth day with an agonizing burning sensation in my vagina. it is now been a few days and it continues to be red and irritated, itchy, and painful. no discharge or odour, and there has been no other change than taking the cephalexin. i would not ever take it again if i can avoid it.

I have taken this medication on and off for many years. I think any antibiotic class will affect people differently. I cannot take penicillins or sulphur drugs anymore, after years of taking them. Penicillin landed me in the hosp with anaphylactic shock. Cephalexin (one of the cephalosporins) is the only class of antibiotics I can take.

Right now, I have a tooth abscess that has been hurting me for 3 days straight. This is not the most effective a/b for dental, I don't think, since it doesn't seem to be doing much good.

I don't have side effects from this medication as long as I take it with food. However, that can be lots of medications - they can be hard on the tummy lining, so a little food really helps. I don't take anything dairy while I am on this medication either.

I saw someone posted about problems, but were taking a pill every hour - I can't imagine any doctor prescribing that high of a dose! So, not sure if you were trying to create a side effect, or what, but I hope you cut back. I've taken this for years, and can't see where more than 2,000 mg a DAY would be safe to take.

Always talk to your doctor if you have anything out of the normal for you when taking ANY medication. Some of the side effects could be from your illness, not your medication.

Meanwhile, I hope this one stays around forever, because it is all I can take!

Last night I took cephalexin and Tylenol . I had a headache and woke up with blurred vision that lasted about 5 minutes.

I have been getting headaches and last night I had blurred vision for about 5 minutes. I had just taken cephalexin and Tylenol. Could this be a side effect/

dry mouth, burning of the eyes, headache, dizzy,weak, loss of appetite,back spasm,diarrhea. I have been taking cephalexin monohydrate 500my for 3 days, cramping, stomach pain

September 28.2008 6.45pm having sweats and dizziness headaches and sleepy and tired.had fish hook removed from finger and was given cephalexin for an antibiotic. chuck branch

I had gotten stitches, The doctor gave me cephalexin 2 times a day, The second day of taking it, I've been getting rashes all over my neck face and it have been spreading. And I have little red dotes around my body. I stopped taking them today.

Day 4 of taking Cephalexin (500mg) 3 x daily for an abdominal cyst that became infected. Have seen little change in the cyst so far- wondering if it takes longer to work? Side effects: really the only side effect that I can claim is tiredness. Also- in the last 24 hours I developed a very sore throat- no other secondary symptoms like coated tongue or swelling so I am not sure if this is related to the Cepha. I am in Vegas on business s it could be "Vegas Throat" (combination of AC, low humidity and cigarette smoke in casinos) or the start of a cold. I will see in the next couple of days when I get back home where the humidity is 60%.

Was prescribed cephalexin (Kaiser) for a broken skin infection on my leg from a sporting accident. It was pussing and not healing well. Started taking cephalexin immediately after leaving the pharmacy. Within a couple days, my skin infection was not any better. Hives and bright red dots appeared on my chest, my arms, and my legs. Itching was intense - I couldn't sleep - would wake up in the middle of the night totally on fire - but I was told to stay on course by the nurse at the pharmacy and finish the bottle as I wouldn't want an antibiotic from losing its hold on the stronger existing bacteria. The hives, in the form of red patches, bumps, and streaks were visually traveling through my body and hives would break out. I resisted itching. Then one morning I woke up and my entire chest had a huge patch of hives taking up the entire space between both nipples and from the top of the rib cage to the collar bone. It was ridiculous. One week in, I called my doctor and went in for a check up. Instead of prescribing another class of antibiotics, my second doctor (and opinion) opted to stop taking the medicine all together. He determined the hives were an allergy to Cephalexin.

Took the perscription (500 mg, 2X daily) for three days before I started having bad side effects, then it hit me like a ton of bricks, and I quit immediately. My digestion has been real messed up, my stomach and intestines have felt as though they had a meat grinder turned on inside. My head has felt as though the top of it was going to come off. I've been off the pills for 3 days now and my head is beginning to feel better. My major complaint now is that my legs ache. My thighs mostly, but also my calves some. I had no idea I would get so sick from an antibiotic.

I have been on Cephalexin for 7 days. I am getting headaches that don't go away after taking Tylenol (I took 4 Tylenol this morning within 2 hours because headache was so bad and Tylenol did not help) and I am beyond tired- I am a normally very high energy person and for the past 2 days I literally can not keep my eyes open. Today at 12 noon I had to give in and take a nap (which I never do!) and woke up 4 hours later. Upon waking I could go back to sleep and sleep 12 more hours. I am considering stopping this med. I am taking it for a minor surgery that I had last week but I am exhausted!

I was taking 500mg three times a day. After 1 week I developed severe joint pain and swelling in my fingers. I got an itchy rash on the bridge of my nose and over my eyes and inside my nose. The joint pain continued to my knees and toes. I have been off of the medication 3 weeks and I am just starting to feel a little normal. a different doctor put me on 800 mg of Ibupropen 3 times a day and after reading up on the side effects of Cephalexin I began taking Benadryl which has helped a lot.

I have been taking Cephalexin for about 6 days now and have experienced some stomach pain and considerable constipation. I didn't see constipation listed on the fact sheet from the pharmacy or on most websites...although I have now found some evidence that this may be the case. I'd hope that this could be better documented for all..Am considering stopping my treatment with this now.

I STARTED USING THIS DRUG CAUSE I WENT AND HAD A MASSAGE DONE AND THAT NIGHT MY BACK WAS SEVERELY RED THE DR TOLD ME A GERM HAD GOTTEN IN MY BACK AND STARTED EATING MY BLOOD SO THE DR PUT ME ON THE DRUG AND THE ONLY THING THAT HAS HAPPENED WITH ME NOW IS MY VAGINA IS REALLY ITCHY.

I've been taking Cephalin Monohydrate now for two days: one every hour and my heart seeded up a double (up to 120 beats per minute). I'm taking it tonight cause I afraid I might have a heart attack if my heart beats get faster. I stopped taking now for nine hours and my heart beats are getting back to normal little by little.
Hope this could help you.

I have the rash after taking only 6 pills or six days. The rash has spread over the upper torso and scalp. I am 31 and this is what I got 5 days after strep. After the dry skin appears it starts to itch. Then you scratch and we will see if it goes away. I am 14 days now with the rash. Infrequent on legs and lower torso. Mainly back, scalp and chest.

After a simple operation I have these symptoms after taking Cephalexin: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, stools that are watery, pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, mental confusion, weakness
dizziness, tired feeling AND vaginal discharge.

I am pregnant in my thrid trimidster. My doctor perscribed me these CEPHALEXIN MONOHYDRATE 1tab/x3 a day. BUT: I only took ONE A DAY (I was too scared to take more with baby) and found over the last 3days I have been very EMOTIONALLY ERACTIC, feeling faint and energyless during the day, with a lack of desire to eat. I have swelling from pregnancy in my feet but my arms were the limbs I noticed going numb with my hands blotchy and tingly. I felt nauscious. When I did decide to rest/ sleep I have such a terrible awake feeling and stressed that my eyes are close but I am so very awake.

Thankyou to everyone who posted their symptoms as this helped me!

I have been taken Cephalexin for 4 days now, 500mg my pill is red. My side affects are loose bowels, stomach boiling like it maybe upset, and a very bad case of the burps .Although it is hot air that come up. It leaves a very nasty taste in the mouth and almost makes me want to vomit. I also feel as though I could go to sleep every time I sit down .

I took this medication seven years ago. After a couple of days I broke out into hives. When the initial Hives went away I kept itching. Then, the itching began to spread all over my body. I have been turned away by many doctors who wished me luck and said they were sorry but they couldn't help me. Since then, I have become a science project for doctors. I have taken a number of medicines to calm me down and an assortment of creams and lotions. One spray that takes the itchy hives away for awhile is CLOBEX. It's very expensive. It costs me $250 a month (out of pocket). The only medicine that relieves the condition for about a week is prednisolone (another drug that's not so great for you). I now take that once a month for one week’s relief. Each night, I have to scold myself in the shower to relieve the itching for a few hours so I can go to sleep. I'm currently at a new Dermatology Clinic. Guess what they prescribed for me? CEPHALEXIN, the drug that caused the poor quality of my life I now have. Doesn't anyone listen to the patient? The only best medical friend I have is my Primary Care Physician who has greatly supported me all these years. I pray that someone may read this and I have an answer me.
If you have not yet taken CEPHALEXIN, think about it long and hard. It's not for everyone and MAY not be for ANYONE. If you've read this far in my note, I consider you a new friend.

Someone please help!!
Still Itching in New Jersey.

I was put on a 10 day course of cephalexin 500 mg. capsule therapy post-operatively. About the 6th day I started to develop a rash, however did not attribute it to the medication until I noticed that the rash started to spread with each subsequent dosing, and the itching intensified for about 2-3 hours after taking each dose. It started and has been evident primarily in the torso, however I did have a few patches on areas of both of my upper thighs. I have just stopped taking it, as it is the 9th post-op day and will see if it subsides and how long. It did not dawn on me that this might be attributed to the medication, being summer and having mosquitoes around. Will see how long it takes to get back to normal.

I was put on a 10 day course of cephalexin 500 mg. capsule therapy post-operatively. About the 6th day I started to develop a rash, however did not attribute it to the medication until I noticed that the rash started to spread with each subsequent dosing, and the itching intensified for about 2-3 hours after I took each dose. It started and has been evident primarily in the torso, however I did have a few patches on areas of both of my upper thighs. I have just stopped taking it, as it is the 9th post-op day and will see if it subsides and how long. It did not dawn on me that this might be attributed to the medication, being summer and having mosquitoes around. Will see how long it takes to get back to normal.

I was prescribed cephalexin for infection in my head and after the third day of using it I broke down into hives and started itching throughout my whole body.

itching rash on trunk of body for 3 to four days.
I took it before dental cleaning because I have two knee implants.

I took cephalexin for 1 week for an infected cut. A few days after finishing the prescription I started experiencing severe sensitivity to cold. Any contact with anything even slightly cold causes a severe overreaction (prickly, itching, discoloration of the skin and swelling in the hands and fingers) as if I was touching ice. I have not yet been diagnosed. has anyone else had a similar reaction?

Have been taking 500 mg for nine days for stomach flu and it has worked wonders, will finish on the tenth day. Do feel sluggish, gas and slight chill and that is about all. My pill is red

i have taken it for several days now 500mg 4x a day and have dry mouth, chronic headaches, and all I want to do is sleep.

I am taking Cephalexin monohydrate 500 mg 4x a day for the treatment of recurring boils in different areas of the same part. Since taking it, I have experienced, contrary to others on this site, serious constipation, in addition, dry mouth and slightly sluggish. I aslo experience some stomach upsetness almost like nausea. But the most uncomfortable feeling is the constipation.

I've been taking the medication for three weeks now, 500 mg (I think) twice a day. I've been suffering from a constant gurgling in my stomach, as if from a stomach virus. I'm also experiencing joint pain and some tingling in my fingers and hands, also some pain in toes/feet. Initially I suspected the joint pain could be the onset of arthritis, since it runs in my family. But then I remembered I've been taking this medication for quite a while now; I'm wondering if joint pain could be a side effect?

i recently had a tummy tuck and am taking CEPHALEXIN 250 qid. i am also on MEPROZINE for pain. one of these meds makes my throat hurt also dry yellow coated tongue. it also feels swollen at times. which med is doing this?

i just started to take this cephalexin(april 19 2004) i'm taking it for an infected stitches from a fistual bein put in for dialysis i have chronic kidney failure so if you no that this will hurt my kidneys please tell me i'm 17% kidney fution almost ready for dialysis thanks linda

I am taking Cephalexin 500mg/4x per day. Today is my 2nd day (5 more days to go) and I have tiny red dots all over my legs...it itches......and my arms and back and scalp itch too!

Also, last night, after taking my 3rd dose of the day, my stomach started hurting, I started feeling quesy and my hands started shaking. Have you ever taken a vitamin on an empty stomach (especially a prenatal vitamin) and felt nauseated and maybe even threw up because of it? Well, that's exactly what it felt like. I did end up vomiting and my (pls excuse the grossness) vomit was green. I still had no idea what was causing all this. It wasn't until I came on here today and read all the posts that I realized that all my symptoms were due to the Cephalexin, which are green capsules!!!

After cutting my finger on metal, the Dr. in the ER prescribed Cephalexin 500MG. What a nightmare it has been since taking the first pill. I have had chronic loose stool, constant gas, chills, and dry mouth. Along with all of that, all I want to do is sleep and I have felt as though that I could pass out several times.

I am on 500mg for strept. throat. Since being on Cephalexin, I have had almost migraine like headaches including nausea. Bright light is very irritating and a few times I have felt as though I might pass out.

Rob

Wife went to hospital with difficulty breathing and pressure on chest ....was treated as a heart attack victim. ...After all types of test etc.....she now has asthma for life......anyone out there with the same type of reaction. Jack and Betty

500 mg, 4/day. Unlike most of the posts, I have not had loose bowels. However, I am terribly woozy, almost to the point where I'm afraid to drive. I have little to no energy and headaches, but I have just caught a cold so I'm sure that is a factor. I was prescribed this for a cyst in my armpit.

i've been taking cephalexin for about a week... i have had abdominal pains and headaches... only thing that bothers me the most is the headaches... normal?

ive been feeling really tired and headaches are very frequent. i keep feeling really hot no matter where i am, but the whole loose bowels thing is getting on my nerves. its very hard to work when having to be in the toilet 11 times a day.

i reccomend not taking any medicine for the loose bowels though, because i felt much worse witht he headaches and dizzyness afterwards.

Very unpleasant mouth taste, especially after eating. Most food tastes awful. Tongue looks ulcerated. Dose is 500mg, 4/d.

I have been taking two 500-mg pills a day for a sinus infection. I have felt extremely tired, dizzy, stomach problems, cold chills and headache. Also, very thirsty and hungry. I am beginning to think that the "cure" (cephalexin) is worse than the disease!