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 30 March 2025
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
18 Answers Page 2
Moontoothy
9 Jan 2020
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.
donnie4life
2 Sep 2017
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.
Xerriah3
24 May 2018
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!
Marvell
6 June 2011
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.
brendali
2 Aug 2012
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.
Pat-TA
27 March 2013
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.
frequentpee
20 March 2014
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.
frequentpee
20 March 2014
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.
AWorkinProgress
23 March 2014
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.
AWorkinProgress
23 March 2014
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.
amberr1977
20 March 2015
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. !
LV1959
15 June 2015
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.
Savage3OO6
15 Sep 2015
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.
Lmpyaa
4 Dec 2022
Definitely made me pee non stop. It was awful.
Related topics
Further information
- Cephalexin uses and safety info
- Cephalexin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Cephalexin (detailed)
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