Cephalexin for Bacterial Infection User Reviews (Page 4)

• Roa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2019

"I am taking this cephalexin for a bacterial infection related to a wound on my leg from road rash. Second time using this in one year and both times it cleared up my infections. My first was a large wound on my elbow that would not heal after several weeks. Was finally prescribed cephalexin with a topical cream. My arm was in terrible pain from bruising and the open wound in which I could not even have the slightest pressure applied. It healed but looks like it was burned badly, but I’m just happy it healed. Diarrhea both times and mild burning while urinating (I’m male if that matters). Also, my skin dried out (all over my body) both times in the middle of the summer, which never happens to me."

• Bre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2016

"Got diagnosed with mastitis for the first time this week from a stubborn clogged duct and prescribed 500 mcg, 4 pills a day. Luckily, I caught it early and it only took two pills for the mastitis symptoms to go away. After 6 pills, I started to get extremely lightheaded, dizzy, and disoriented, so much so that I couldn't drive and had to have someone babysit because I was afraid I was going to pass out or worse! My doctor cut my dose down to two pills a day, so hopefully that will help the side effects. I've never experienced such horrible side effects from any medicine! I don't know what was worse, the side effects from this medicine or the mastitis! I'll never take this medicine again!"

• Ast...
• January 13, 2016

"Was just starting and took one pill. About 2 hours later, I was experiencing horrid stomach pains and vomiting. I also was in a very confused state. Had to go to the E.R.! Switched to Bactrim and having a much better time."

• Hat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2022

"Infected cyst in neck. I dreaded this antibiotic. Other times I've been on it, it's the same story. Anxiety, nausea, depression, belching, and insomnia. Know that it takes several weeks to return to normal and take a good probiotic. It is a nightmare, but better than sepsis from an infected cyst running wild."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2022

"Was told to take this 4 times a day for 7 days. I took 2 my first day, the day it was prescribed, and thought my appendix burst. I went 48 hours sleepless and doubled over in terrible stomach pains. Do NOT take this drug."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2019

"My middle finger randomly swelled up around the cuticle. Doctor guessed it was an infection, so he prescribed me 500 mg of cephalexin, 3 times a day for 7 days. I have never had side effects from any antibiotic/drug until now. I'm on day 3, and I'm over it. I've been so tired the past two days, and my anxiety has skyrocketed, which is the worst part. I can't tell if my finger is even getting better, I don't know if I should power through or just quit now. Though seeing several other people experience the anxiety side effect as well puts me a little at ease. Also, the taste-ugh. I will never take this medicine again."

• nas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2020

"Had foot surgery on Aug 28, 2020. After I got my staples out and around Oct 10, 2020, I was getting a bad burn feeling with reddish around my wounds. My surgeon sent me cephalexin 500 mg 4 times a day, and I have to take them for 2 weeks. Almost at my second week and feel much better already. The only side effects are gut upset, so I take cold applesauce to feel better and yogurt. I do feel tired from time to time, but that could be from the operation, etc. Maybe antibiotics? No real bathroom problems, just gut upset from time to time. Best antibiotics I have taken in a long time."

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2018

"I got put on 500 mg twice a day for my recurring strep throat. Other antibiotics have cleared it up within a day. I am on day 5 and still see white spots. My tonsils are the size of golf balls, I can't even eat or swallow without shooting pains. I am a college student, and it sucks getting up from class and having to run to the bathroom every 20 minutes. Also, fatigue is an understatement."

• San...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2021

"Husband was given 500 mg of cephalexin 4 times a day for a UTI infection. After about 6 days on the medication, he got sick and ended up in the emergency room! They would not say, but I believe it was too strong and a long dose for 10 days prescribed! The emergency doctor cut the dose and the time! Watch out if it's not a severe infection! The urgent care doctor was not so good!"

• Pre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2017

"I have an ingrown toenail infection, and on the first dose, it started to feel better, but not any better with the next four doses. However, I ate as directed, but on dose four, it felt like I had what felt like a bubble under my left upper back and front ... as if I needed to belch, but when I did, the pain went away for about 30 seconds and came right back. It really felt like I was having heart issues. I was supposed to take 500 mg three times daily for seven days. I cannot get the third dose in a day, but I felt horrible ... headaches too. I'm not going to take any more, and I'll call Dr. tomorrow."

• Pho...
• February 13, 2018

"This medication worked almost immediately for me. I had an infection of the skin. By the time I took the 2nd dose, it was almost gone. He did prescribe acyclovir also, but both combinations worked within 24 hours. No side effects at all."

• Jad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2018

"Was given amoxicillin a week before two surgical extractions that seemed to keep it from spreading but didn’t do much. I’ve taken amoxicillin so many times I think it just stopped working. Dentist gave me cephalexin 500 mg x 4 times a day for a week. I’m on day three, but not sure if having the two teeth removed did it or the medicine, but he said I had a massive infection, so I’m going to continue taking it. I haven’t had any side effects at all so far, which is pretty surprising. Well, I am really tired, not sure if that’s just from the infection or the antibiotics or the teeth."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 7, 2018

"Not sure how I got folliculitis, but I’ve been on this same medication as you all for 2 solid days now. Seems to be helping, but I experienced the worst headache I have had in years today. The infection is in my hair on my head and made my lymph nodes inflamed. I ordered CLn shampoo to try and speed the process up because I’ve read so much material on this issue. But nonetheless, I pray this medicine works like it has for some of you. I can deal with the headaches for the short term if I get rid of this disgusting infection on my head. I will be back in a few days to give an update on both how the medicine is doing as well as the CLn shampoo."

• bee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2020

"Post tibia patella fracture surgery, I developed a surgical site infection. I was prescribed cephalexin 500 mg three times a day for 21 days. First worried about the infection, especially when the infection had not cleared after 14 days. I was feeling better, but the infection was still visible. Finally, after day 15, a definite improvement at the site and feeling much better, as in swelling, pain, bending the knee. I followed daily recommendations to: have a snack with the medication, take a probiotic, shower and wash the affected area with warm water, and do a lymphatic massage and exercise my leg. These require a little planning. Been a long road, but trying to follow everything to walk again. I am happy that it seems to be clearing. Follow your doctor's orders and ask questions for a good outcome."

• nik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2021

"I took this medication in July for a skin infection, and it worked amazing. I started taking this medication again at the end of August for a minor bacterial infection and had the most severe headaches ever. I felt like my brain was going to explode through my skull. I have taken 8 pills so far and made the decision to discontinue due to the severity of these terrible headaches."

• deb...
• July 30, 2009

"19-year-old male was taking this medication for relief of tonsillitis. After 2 days, had an allergic reaction, lips started to swell, throat was significantly worse, swollen to the point of not being able to talk. Went to urgent care, and they advised him to stop and prescribed an alternative antibiotic."

• Ima...
• December 24, 2019

"This medicine has made me confused, sleepy all the time, and have terrible abdomen pain at 9 weeks pregnant. Makes me concerned taking these 4x a day for a week; but can’t break my dosages or it may not work? Hate this."

• Jon...
• July 19, 2015

"The pill stinks really bad, but it got rid of an infection I had in my scalp. Odd though, I have these 2 swollen lymph nodes on both sides of my neck. I'm wondering if I should seek medical help for an allergic reaction, but they go down when I stop taking cephalexin. Today's my last pill, so it shouldn't be a problem, although these swollen nodes feel like they can pop at any second. Actually, to mention it, my jaw is also sore, and it's hard to chew. Maybe I should get help, it's not really affecting my breathing, though I don't know. Maybe not. I can't afford to miss any more classes, I already missed 2 days because of this concussion and contusion."

• TON...
• March 6, 2009

"I was prescribed Cephalexin for tonsillitis, which seemed weird seeing that it doesn't appear to be a common illness for this medication. After taking the pills for 2 days, my sore throat improved a lot, but I started breaking out into a red, itchy rash all over my body. I guess this is just an allergic reaction, but Cephalexin did seem to improve my tonsillitis."

• DDa...
• October 31, 2020

"I took cephalexin 500 mg for like a week and stopped it as I didn't know I was supposed to finish all of my medicine. It had me very constipated, and now I have got oral thrush that will not go away. I've tried everything. I was fine before I took the medication, now I have got more problems than I started with."

• Min...
• May 7, 2017

"I got a bad infection from shaving my bikini area with a bad razor, and my doctor put me on this medicine to help clear it up. I have to take two pills 3 times a day. I've been on it only for 2 days now, and it's working! I can now pee without my urine touching the bumps and it burning like crazy. Only problem I'm having so far is mild tiredness - not so crazy I just want to go to sleep. I can actually pull through with staying up - and diarrhea."

• Nat...
• November 6, 2018

"500 three times a day for one week for possible Staph infection. Very little side effects, maybe a little drowsy for an hour after the dose and some heartburn late in the process. Day five had improvement. I hope it’s gone and not that I could have used a few more days."

• RDo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2023

"I am on my last day of a 10-day course of cephalexin for an infection in my dental implant. For the first 3 days, I experienced extreme anxiety from taking it (yes, it was the medication causing it). It also increased my pulse and my blood pressure, so I took a very small dose of Benadryl with it during those 3 days, which helped. Keflex also constipated me for some reason. It seems to be healing the infection as my gums have quit bleeding, and it isn't red anymore."

• Mi ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 19, 2021

"I have 2 teeth that are infected, and I have been taking cephalexin 500 mg for 2 1/2 days, and I'm still in pain. Why does this medication take so long to start helping? I understand it takes time, but this is too long."

• mar...
• April 19, 2017

"Had a swollen foot. Dr. prescribed Cephalexin, 500 mg 3 times a day. I quit the 4th day as my excreted urine was less than 2 tablespoons per trip to the bathroom. I had decreased kidney function prior to taking Cephalexin, and the prescribing doctor should pay more attention to my records. In my case, it can cause kidney failure. My BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) was elevated before taking the Cephalexin. I had stepped on a piece of glass, and nothing major. From now on, I will research any prescription that doctors give me. Very, very disappointed in being prescribed this!"