I was prescribed Cephalexin and have been taking it 4x daily now for 4 days. My other doctor prescribed Amoxicillin which was 2x daily since the infection was not getting better. I took my Cephalexin in the early AM then 2 hours later remembered I was switching meds so I took the Amoxicillin before it would have been time to take my next Cephalexin dose. I will not mix and will not take the Cephalexin again but after the fact am concerned I took the Amoxicillin too soon and should have waited longer. As long as I don't mix which I won't will this temporary mixing cause me harm?
Is it a problem to switch to Amoxicilin while taking Cephalexin?
Question posted by PCboss on 21 April 2012
Last updated on 22 April 2012
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3 Answers
It is not uncommon to take two antibiotics at a time. You usually take them at different specific times, that is more for your protection than that the two will interact with each other. Does that make sense? Long story short... the two taken together may produce some nausea and diarrhea but nothing else harmful from taking them at the same time. Both are of a different class of antibiotic thus they work differently in your body. Hope that helps.
As a general rule, even in the hospital, people/patients are always switched to alternative anti-biotics when one is not working, or was not strong enough... Also, for future reference, in my experience as a mother of 20 plus years, wife and so on, my experiences with Amoxicillin is that it just is not strong enough, the time period in which you take it is too long and have found other anti-biotics to be far better especially the 5 dose anti-biotic to work way better quicker and getting the infection out of your system. 2 of my children were switched from Amoxicillin and quickly put on another anti-biotic and were told that they could take the new dose the same day, like a night dose after they had had the other in the morning... you should be fine, and if still unsure, just call your local pharmacy and the pharmacist can most certainly help you in this area... Good luck Blaze22
Thanks. Though by the tie I asked it was already too late (I had taken it already) your response does reassure me.
Your welcome... hope you are doing better... Blaze22
We need more info. Were you put on the 2 antibiotics for the same thing? Does the second doc know you were taking cephalexin? There is no reason you can't take both, other then you may get some diarrhea. I've seen many a patient on 2 or even 3 antibiotics for a difficult infection.
Yes the 2nd doctor knew. I should have added that the actual drug I am taking is called AMOX-CLAV which is a combined Amoxicillin and Potassium Clavulanate. The Clavulanate is a kicker that helps the Amoxicillin to be more effective. I don't plan on taking both of these at the same times. I am also on Nitrofurantoin for a UTI. I was just concerned what it might do if I took the Cephalexin and Amoxicillin at the same time. Thanks for your answer.
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infections, amoxicillin, cephalexin, doctor
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