Cephalexin for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection User Reviews

• All...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2014

Keflex (cephalexin) "I had recurring boils in one area. They would show up randomly so the dr. was never able to take a culture since they would come to a head and then pop whenever. He put me on a 20-day regimen of Keflex (500) and another ointment antibiotic that he told me to dab into my nose. He said for some odd reason, boils seem to start in the nose. I followed the instructions and had a minor recurrence several months later. I went immediately to see him so he put me back on Keflex. These boils were clustered and leaving scars in the area. They haven't recurred and the scars are gone. Since I caught them starting the 2nd time, they never had a chance to come to a head because I stayed on top of it. I highly recommend it for a skin bacterial infection."

• Veg...
• July 2, 2014

Keflex (cephalexin) "Got multiple venomous spider bites on the left buttocks. Turned into a staph infection. Before taking the medicine, I was in so much pain I could barely sit or lay down. Been on the medicine for two days now at 500mg twice a day (along with Epsom salt baths) and it has already GREATLY improved my infection, the sores, and my ability to sit!"

• all...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2014

Keflex (cephalexin) "I had to take a double dosage of Keflex. I weigh about 115 lbs and had to take Keflex 500 mg 4 times a day for 10 days. I didn't have any issues with side effects or drinking alcohol while on it. It was prescribed as a precaution after I accidentally got a cut on my leg that required 13 stitches. The only dissatisfactory attribute was the horrid sulfur smell of the capsules."

• Gia...
• June 11, 2020

"Took cephalexin 4 times a day, 500 mg a dose, for about two weeks for a dermal cyst. Its effect was not immediate, but by the third day, I started to see real improvement. Within ten days, it had almost completely vanished. BUT OH, DID I FEEL TERRIBLE... I had heard that 'drowsiness' was a 'rare' side effect of this drug, at least according to the drug company, who during their trials must have enrolled some other species that just looked human to study, because almost EVERYONE who takes this feels like a truck almost ran over them. They have experienced real sedation, dizziness, brain fog, irritability, a blocking of the effects of antidepressants, weakness, etc. I had most of these, and for several days AFTER taking it, I still felt out of sorts.... I will never take this drug again, as I feel like I lost two weeks of my life because of a minor problem that could have been treated with something just as effective but not as horrible."

• dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2016

Keflex (cephalexin) "Had an ingrown toenail infection. Was given 500mg Keflex taken 4 times a day for 7 days. It is working and I have no pain in my toe. However, so far I've had diarrhea, stomach pain, tiredness and weakness, dizzy spells, yellow skin, loss of appetite, nausea, red scratchy eyes. So most of the usual stuff. The long and short of it is my toe will be healed as long as I can deal with the side effects for a few more days."

• Tom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 28, 2019

"I am writing this review because cephalexin has saved my life a number of times, and while that does not mean it will necessarily do the same for you, please know that despite all the negative stories you will read here, to which you must pay attention as well, I am still here on this earth as a result of having taken it and continue to take it when necessary. Thank God it does work for some."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2017

Keflex (cephalexin) "Prescribed 500 mg 4x a day for 10 days for an infected ingrown hair on my bikini line. I've gotten lots of ingrown hair infections in the past and usually just let them run their course, but taking this was SO much better! Cleared up by day 4, absolutely no side effects, even drinking alcohol went well. Only giving it a 9 because waking up to take it every 6 hours was very annoying, especially once it seemed to have gotten better."

• Net...
• December 21, 2015

Keflex (cephalexin) "Keflex 500 mg three times a day is slowly but surely getting rid of my folliculitis. It took about three days for the infection to stop oozing, another two days later it has almost completely dried up. No discernible side effects for me."

• mum...
• March 12, 2016

"Wow. Cleared up a very nasty post-surgery infection. No side effects. As others have said, I think you see more negative posts than positive, because those of us without complications are lucky to move forward. Best wishes to everyone with their issues."

• Anonymous
• July 22, 2011

Keflex (cephalexin) "Works very well for treating the cellulitis I got from an insect bite. But don't drink alcohol while you are on this medication. I had half a beer and started feeling really nauseous, had a migraine and my stomach hurt."

• Pie...
• June 5, 2021

"Prescribed in the ER after a superficial burn infected (4 cm). My dose is 500 mg x 4 times a day for 5 days, and I am on the second day. I called the hospital to ask about severe side effects. Been on antibiotics many times, but with this drug, the side effects are a lot heavier: - Extreme tiredness and weakness that I can’t even open my eyes - sleeping 10-12 hours (getting a pill every 6 hours), waking up with severe fatigue and body aches - my anxiety is off the roof - I have an ongoing heaviness feeling and breathing spasms in my chest - my stomach is so weird (not burn, not pain) like someone punching me, and I have pressure on my belly, feeling like I had a big meal, but I haven’t had anything other than 1-2 small meals in 3 days. - mild sore throat and minor cough - and my infection is not healing fast. At this stage, I am fighting with antibiotics more than the infection! + I am on probiotics and having yogurt. I hope this helps, other comments helped me to understand what’s going on with my body."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 27, 2012

Keflex (cephalexin) "I've been prescribed this antibiotic many times. I just realized that with my current course for a skin infection, I sweat profusely when I take this. The last time I had episodes of profuse sweating was the last time I was on this! I don't see it listed anywhere as a side effect, but it seems to happen to me every time I take it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2013

"I had perioral dermatitis, which literally came out of nowhere. I originally thought it was a pimple, and then the next day it was all around my mouth to the point where it hurt to talk. I left it for another day, avoiding people, and then the next day it got even worse. That is when I panicked. I could barely talk, and eating was out of the question (thank God for Ensure and protein shakes). The doctor prescribed Keflex for me, 500 mg, four times a day for ten days. It seriously worked wonders. Now I am back on this medication again for the same thing eight months later. My doctor has no idea what causes it, and apparently, neither does Google. Anyway, I feel I can rest easy knowing I am on this product again and that it will be cleared up within the 10 days."

• sho...
• May 4, 2011

"I have been taking this antibiotic for approximately 1 year for acne. It's absolutely wonderful, no side effects and you can still tan in sun or tanning bed, most antibiotics you cannot. I also have used it in the past for sinus infections and it knocked it out quickly. I hate that I have to take it for so long but I was suffering with cystic acne and this one got rid of it, unfortunately it comes back if I discontinue use."

• Pes...
• April 20, 2020

"Surprised this old antibiotic drug, cephalexin, still works. I've had good luck with it for my recurrent cellulitis. I had to get a repeat course for my first infection, but that was probably because it was a really bad one (my ankle was the size of an abnormally large grapefruit). Taking it three times a day is a bit of a hassle, and the odor of the medication is foul enough to peel wallpaper, but I would rather deal with these trivial inconveniences than end up on IV antibiotics. I'm able to take this medication with or without food, but taking it without food gave me a stomachache. The good news is that it doesn't take a lot of food to blunt its side effects - a PB&J sandwich or a protein bar is enough."

• Bbe...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 14, 2023

Keflex (cephalexin) "Keflex is a literal lifesaver. I get really serious skin infections that progress to cellulitis, and it’s the only thing that treats them effectively with no noticeable side effects. I just had surgery and got very sick from a UTI from the catheter. I started taking Keflex instead of other drugs and felt better within a day. Genuinely, if you have bad side effects from other antibiotics, this is definitely worth a try."

• Anonymous
• August 4, 2009

Keflex (cephalexin) "I get recurring cases of impetigo and Keflex is always my go-to drug. Keflex clears up the infection quickly, and I've never experienced any side effects, even if I take it on an empty stomach. Highly recommended!"

• lor...
• February 28, 2015

"Cleared up my abscess. Also, I kept getting bacterial vaginitis for a year straight. I swear my bacterial vaginitis cleared up! This actually works to clear that up also. I thought my bacterial vaginitis issue was stuck with me forever."

• wre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2014

Keflex (cephalexin) "I fell off my longboard and made some bad dressing decisions. After 3 days, I saw a doctor who prescribed this and silver sulfadiazine. After 10 days, it completely healed. Unfortunately, I have had another tumble, this time with a broken wrist and 10 open wounds. On it again. Trusting old Keflex to help again."

• Lyn...
• June 8, 2019

"Cephalexin got rid of the infection, but I had horrible side effects. I took it for 4 days, at a dose of 500 mg, 4 times a day. I had horrible headaches, diarrhea, major depression, dry and bloodshot eyes, nausea, was very tired, and didn't have motivation to do anything. Anxiety, joints were on fire! Stopped a day ago and still feel awful! Won't take it again because of side effects."

• Bla...
• March 5, 2021

Keflex (cephalexin) "I had a tooth that broke off while eating pretzels. Well, as time goes by, no real problems with it, however, it made the tooth next to it get loose and agitated. It becomes an infection. I get put on Keflex 500 mg three times a day for seven days for the infection. I have taken this medication before. After two days, the infection starts to go away, and my mouth feels better. I’m not in pain anymore, however, the night terrors, hallucinations, and anxiety. The night terrors are morbid, they are something out of the 'Saw' movies! If you have any mental disorders or any small underlying ones, I recommend you do not take this medication, because it will make you crazy!"

• Ros...
• September 15, 2013

"I had a small but very painful boil, and the Dr. gave me cephalexin. It worked really well and cleared it within a couple of days, but the side effects were terrible. I had bad gas and cramps along with diarrhea."

• Mad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 26, 2020

"I was on cephalexin for a cyst, a dose of 500 mg, taking it 2 times a day, morning and night for 7 days. I haven't had any problems. I haven't drank coffee or alcohol. I drink tons of water and Gatorade. It helps."

• Abb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2019

"Horrible medicine. My doctor prescribed me cephalexin for an infected boil that I burst and got infected. I was told to take 4 tabs, 500 mg daily for 7 days. I'm a lupus patient already taking plaquenil 400 mg daily. Anyway, I went after 7 days, the infection wasn't healed yet, so my doctor told me to continue for 10 more days. But when I started to continue, I got a horrible rash all over my arms and neck. Along with this, I got continuous headaches, so I stopped the medication. But the rash is still there, and I'm getting blisters on my body. Thinking of going to the emergency room."

• Fab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2014

"I have folliculitis that started from an insect bite. This medicine works, but my skin feels so hot all over my body when I take it. It feels feverish, but no actual fever. It does work very well, though. I'm just so hot!"