I was just prescribed 500 mg of cephalexin, as a precaution. Since I am having a surgery soon. It seems like I have to pee literally every 5 seconds. Is this a common side affect, or does it mean I'm allergic? I started taking it yesterday after noon, and am supposed to take it 3 times a day. I have taken 4 so far.
Does cephalexin cause you urinate more often?
Question posted by Adrein26 on 2 June 2011
Last updated on 20 December 2022 (6 weeks ago) by Julianos
14 Answers
Yes, I noticed the change within the first 2 days of taking 500mg 4 times a day. I first experienced a sudden and surprising 2-3 days of diarrhea (once a day). Soon following I had a strong urge to urinate at least 3 times a day that lasted more than a week (I still have urges 10 days later, after stopping taking the antibiotic) The urges never woke me up in the middle of the night, but were strongest very early (between 5-6 am) which is when I usually rise. I also looked for answers at other different medical websites but Drugs.com was the only one that confirmed (from actual users) frequent urination as a side effect of cephalexin ("Keflex" in the US). I'm inclined to believe that it must indeed be a related side effect to taking the drug since I did not have any diarrhea or urinating urges prior to using it.
yes it most definitely does. I had a (broken) thumb injury at work a couple months back. I was prescribed some to take 3 times a day. After the first day I couldn't stay out of the restroom and at times barely made it. But overall it works.
Yes I was prescribed this medication 1 day ago due to a really bad uti that went to my kidneys. After 30 minutes of taking this medication I was rushing to the bathroom. After that I have been going every 30-40 minutes and barley making it to the bathroom in time. This is without barely drinking any fluids.
I am having the same issue. I have been on this for 7 days 500mg twice a day. Started with a UTI and I have been going every 45 mins for days. What the heck?!
Yes, it absolutely does. I read all I could about this medication before taking it for my UTI and excessive urination is not listed as a side effect. I started to realize that I was urinating a lot more than normal and in looking up the prevalence of this as a side effect, drugs.com is the *only* site where I have seen others report to have the same issues. I’m 4 days in and experiencing mild diarrhea. Had abdominal discomfort on the first 2 days and, for the past 2 days (maybe more), frequent peeing. Urine is clear and odorless. There is no pain or burning sensation when voiding. I feel like a sieve! As soon as I drink water, it seems I need to release it.
Hello, Did it go away after you finished the medication?
I thought I was crazy. I pee alot anyways, but this wakes me up constantly. I almost peed the bed the other night.
This is definitely a side effect. It was making me pee so much and actually making my urethra hurt, I went back to the doctor to ask if I could stop taking it because the peeing was driving me crazy. I was also experiencing stinging pain with the peeing. I've been off it for 24 hours now and am still experiencing this horrible side effect.
I was prescribed cephalexin at 500 mg. 3 times daily for a UTI. By the 2nd night, I was wetting the bed. I kid you not, I have never had to pee so much with a UTI in my life. I thought maybe I had something bad wrong and even called an online dr. She told me to go to my regular general practitioner... I'm reading about all the other people that have had the same side affects and now my anxieties are gone. The only thing is now I need diapers for the rest of my treatment. This is absolutely crazy! Thanks to everyone that has answered this question. Daytime is best because i know how long i can hold off..but night time waking and needing to go in a split second... no way.
I have been prescribed 250mg at bedtime for unexplained recurrent UTI in pregnancy as a daily prophylaxis until I give
birth. YES this med does cause frequent urination and all of your answers have validated the effect I am feeling as well- so thank you for posting. Yes I am
battling UTI which does cause frequent urination but I have noticed that within 10 minutes or so of taking this, I am having to go a lot more within certain time frames, than I do in the day when I am not on it- and drinking more water. Like one poster mentioned, several times per hour, and can last 5-6 hours so imagine needing to sleep but waking up
constantly to urinate. Very inconvenient and uncomfortable. Good luck to everyone.
I was prescribed this 4 days ago for a case of strep throat , I am also having the same side effect . I normally go about 2 or 3 times a day , now I'm going about 2 or 3 times every hr .cant wait to be off this
Oh my god. It was prescribed to my three year old. She’s been crying each night. Score bed begging me to find diapers and to let her go pee on a potty (where she will sit endlessly). I went to a doctor today with this issue and they had no clue what’s up. This medication is ridiculous- my little one is devastated. I have been crying each night trying to figure out what it is. Wonder who I should contact so this issue can be added as a side effect.
I have also been prescribed this medicine for a sinus infection. I noticed this right away. I am peeing all the time or feel like I have a UTI and will just pee a drop or 2. It happens right after I take the medicine and then goes away until the next dose. Good to know I am not crazy.
I started taking Cephalexin due to a UTI and I have a suprapubic catheter. Ever since I started taking it I am gushing out around the catheter excessively. I feel like a kid wetting the bed again.
I have had the exact same effects!!! I pee EVERY 10 minutes! My blood pressure meds has a side effect of more frequent urination and with this added!!! Im pretty miserable and cant wait until this medication is done! However, I absolutely do feel that it should be put as a main side effect of this medication. Crazy!
Increased urination is not a known side effect or allergic reaction of cephalexin. Hope it has resolved by now. If it hasn't then I would recommend that you see your doctor ... to check that you don't have a urinary tract infection.
My daughter has strep Throat, she was prescribed cephalexin 500mg twice a day. She just told me she's had to pee many times. So, I guess it is a side effect.
I had the same question. The day after I began taking cephalexin (2 doses 1st day) I woke up feeling extremely dehydrated. Sometimes I need to urinate as often as 2-3 times per hour, waking up repeatedly at night as well. My mouth has been constantly dry and I've had to drink water constantly in an attempt to prevent the terrible headaches I associate with dehydration. The symptoms have not improved during treatment (7+ day course 500 mg taken every 6 hours). I am due to finish today and certainly hope it improves when I am no longer taking them. Normally the gastro side effects of antibiotics are the worst thing, but this cycle of increased urination and all it brings with it has been very troublesome. I know it is not a "known side effect" but I know my body. I am not taking any other meds, have made no other changes, and this effect was strong and coincided perfectly with beginning the meds. A quick search online shows that many others are apparently seeing the same effects.
I started taking cephalexin 500 mg since last 3 days and now i have to pee every 15-30 minutes. Does anyone know if this will get better after i have stopped taking cephalexin.
I started taking cephalexin 500 mg since last 3 days and now i have to pee every 15-30 minutes. Does anyone know if this will get better after i have stopped taking cephalexin. Also i have dry mouth and unable to sleep because of frequent trips to the bathroom.
I am worried how long will this last. If anyone has gone through this experience and felt better after stopping cephalexin pls. respond. Thanks.
I hope this doesn't offend anyone - but we've had the similar situation with Cephalexin for the past few years in our family, and were told up front that it was normal and expected. But here's our situation: Dosage 500mg every 8 hrs for a 140 lb female for a urinary tract infection. However, the patient was our Great Dane. As she got older, she would have a UTI every now and then. This was the drug and dosage of choice from our Vet. She'd be on it for 2 weeks, and it was very effective. Within a few hours on it, she would start drinking a LOT of water (because she's thirsty) then begin urinating more frequently, with more volume and of course, more urgency. (Imagine 2 adults and a 140 lb dog running to get a door open before the flood hits.) Since it's definitely flushing fluid through her system, I wonder if that might be a reason our Vet was so comfortable to prescribe it for a UTI.
As for does the symptom stop after you're off the drug - in our GD's case - yes. As soon as she came off it - it stopped immediately once it was out of her system... which was in hours.
I am currently prescribed this for a tooth ache and we'll that should explain why or how I came across this article. I have also feel that my urinanation frequency has increased. !
I took cephalexin 500mgs, 4 x day, for 3 days after foot surgery. I started noticing the urge to urinate by the end of the 3rd day. It's gotten worse and I've been off of it for over 2 days now. It's so bad, it wakes me during the night, every 2-2 1/2 hours and it feels like when you've been holding it for hours! I, also, have some soreness, burning and itching. I did eat yogurt every day, while I was taking it but it must have not been enough. Making a call to my doctor's office for a medication for a yeast infection.
I had a vasectomy last week and I was given cephalexin. I've been peeing every 15 to 20 minutes while I'm awake and every 2 hours while I'm asleep. I've got a newborn son at home, so the last thing I needed was something else getting in the way of my precious sleep.
Definitely made me pee non stop. It was awful.
Related topics
Further information
- Cephalexin uses and safety info
- Cephalexin information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details)
- Side effects of Cephalexin (detailed)
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