Cephalexin for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection User Reviews (Page 3)

• Scu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2016

"I had scalp acne for 6 months, but several doctors said it wasn't an infection. So I used every single known topical stuff, nothing worked from anti-inflammatories to natural products. I went to the GP last week with a urine infection. I said, will it clear up my scalp also? Yes, but only if it's an infection, which he doubted. And, whoopee, my scalp has cleared up, and I didn't experience any side effects. Go with your gut diagnosis, you know yourself better than anyone. Couldn't recommend this antibiotic highly enough."

• Inf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2017

"I had a blister get infected on a cruise ship. The onboard doctor put me on cephalexin 4x daily at 500 mg for 5 days. I've had insomnia from the get-go. While awake, I had dizzy spells often and bursts of anxiety. On night 3, I developed chills and anxiety that woke me right up. I then vomited and had diarrhea all night long. I'm currently awake on night 3 typing this. Chills have stopped, but I'm holding nothing down."

• sho...
• August 22, 2017

"The last time I've taken Keflex was 4 years ago. I've always taken it with no problems. I just got an infected ingrown toenail, and I've had it for 2 months. The doctor gave me Keflex, which I take 2 times a day. I'm on my 3rd day, and I've noticed some things I've never had before. I feel a bit dizzy, I'm hot, my heart is racing more than normal, and I'm going to the toilet more often. I think they might've changed the drug or ingredients. I wish they would just leave things alone and stop short-cutting things."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2016

"My 17-year-old son is allergic to sulfa-based antibiotics (he gets hives everywhere), but he keeps getting staph infections (like boils), so this time he was given Cephalexin. He got through his whole 10 days of taking it twice daily, just finished last Thursday. The negative side effects kicked in Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Stomach pain, chills, fever, tightness in chest, frequent urination, restlessness, anxiousness, and sleeplessness. He's really freaked out about it. The inability to sleep is what's actually most upsetting because it makes you feel more anxious and crazy after a few days. The crappy thing is - he just has to wait and wait until it clears out of his system. Poor kid. This sucks."

• Bme...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2016

"My doctor prescribed me cephalexin, and it has worked wonders. I'm so glad I'm not one of the ones that got those horrible side effects. However, for those of you that did, I'm so, so sorry. That sounds like an extreme nightmare I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. However, I wish I would have known about it before I got this huge, stiff abscess cyst in my armpit. In fact, that seems to be the only place I get cysts, in my right armpit. But this one I let get so bad I had to go to my doctor's right away, but he's too hard to get into quickly, so I settled for the nurse practitioner. Let's go back just a bit, I mean, this cyst was so big and hurt so bad I couldn't put my arm down all the way without almost crying. So I got there, and this is the antibiotic I got."

• Anonymous
• May 13, 2010

"Great experience with it, clears up acne quickly. I was having issues with getting pimples on my head. It was great at clearing it up, but it comes back after about a month or so. The only side effect is going to the bathroom 3-5 times a day. I go on and off it as needed. Love this site."

• ver...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2020

"My son had a small skin infection on his cheek near his eye, so he was on this medicine, and he thought he was losing his mind. The side effects are damaging for this drug. Now it is still in his system as he struggles to not go crazy. This is a horrible drug."

• Mis...
• February 25, 2018

"I wanted to share my experience with Keflex, aka cephalexin. My son had some sort of skin boil, according to my doctor. Anyway, I thought it was some sort of infection that may have been contagious. Anyway, it cleared up. Now I'm getting a boil-looking thing, it's warm to the touch on my leg. I'm thinking I got it from swiping up against my son. Anyway, I'm on day two of Keflex. I have no reactions that are bad, and it also clears up whatever is going on. It also is great for if you have other bug bites on you, it takes the swelling down and makes them heal within two days. Great drug...."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 23, 2019

"I was given this antibiotic, cephalexin, for a stab wound accidentally self-inflicted. I feel horrible. I have low to no energy. I'm sitting in the bathroom with diarrhea and nausea. This is my first day on it. I do think I can tolerate it."

• Amb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 14, 2018

"Keflex is an excellent antibiotic for skin abscesses. I was given Keflex for an ingrown hair that became terribly infected, and the infection ended up spreading to other parts of my body. After just my second dose of it, I already notice a considerable difference in the amount of pain and swelling, both are much less. Some people experience terrible side effects from Keflex, but I've never experienced any negative side effects while taking it. You must eat with it, and taking probiotics is an excellent idea."

• Bro...
• March 6, 2018

"I went on cephalexin for the beginning of a staph infection caused by an ingrown hair on my bikini line. I'm currently on day 5 of my 7-day treatment, and my infection is fully healed. Pleasant experience overall; no side effects besides headaches the first 2 days, but minor; pain relievers not needed. However, I didn't consume alcohol or caffeine for the entirety of the treatment as I was advised that cephalexin enhances side effects caused by alcohol and coffee, such as drowsiness, dizziness, upset stomach, etc. I had a chai drink containing a very little amount of caffeine; I got dizzy and very anxious within the hour of drinking it. It never happened to me before despite countless times having the drink, so I related it to the drug, further exemplifying how much the medication enhances both physiological and neurological effects of substances such as caffeine. I recommend this medication, but use with caution: no caffeine or alcohol."

• Say...
• November 9, 2017

"I fell and put two deep gashes on my shin, which then became infected. I think (hope) this has taken care of the bacterial infection. The injury still looks somewhat inflamed but MUCH better than it was five weeks ago. Dr. originally prescribed Cipro, which came with FOUR letter-size warning pages!! Mostly having to do with susceptibility to tendon ruptures, Achilles, most common. No thanks!! Asked for something else and got Cephalexin (Keflex). Had zero side effects, and I'm one who always assumes I will have some sort of reaction. Nope! Not with this. Hope everyone fares as well."

• Anonymous
• May 2, 2016

"I had a fungal toenail infection, went to the doctor, prescribed Cephalexin 500 mg cap 2 twice daily. As I have IBS, took it with food to not upset my stomach, 1st 2, no effect, but when I took the next two, thought I was going to die. I woke up at 2 am with severe stomach pain, nausea, dizziness. I was draped over the bathroom counter, thought I was going to pass out. Within 10 mins, my hair was soaking wet and had perspiration running down my face and having diarrhea at the same time. I live alone, 73, was considering calling 911. The next 2 mornings, I saw that my gums had been bleeding, not red but dark purplish-black. As I have dentures, it was inside and between my teeth. Found it can cause gum bleeding. Talked to the pharmacy, said to stop it. Never again."

• Hed...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2020

"Had cosmetic surgery six weeks ago, including a decent amount of liposuction. I’ve had cosmetic surgery before, but never a huge amount of swelling that occurred right after surgery. The swelling was so bad my sutures were becoming dislodged and infected. Doctors could not figure out what was causing the swelling, so an urgent care physician prescribed Keflex. Within the first day, the swelling was noticeably down. I was thrilled beyond belief! I had no side effects, was prescribed 500 mg three times a day. Very happy."

• alw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2018

"Prescribed cephalexin for a fingernail infection because I asked for an 'easy on the stomach' antibiotic. 4 times a day for 7 days, what a nuisance. The first few doses I took definitely made me nauseous, but now I am taking it with food and lots of water, and I notice less nausea. I also feel my anxiety is worsened a bit, and I keep getting hot flashes... not normal for me! Wonder if it's another side effect. But nonetheless, my infection started healing within 24 hours, and it's doing its job."

• Nev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 12, 2018

"I was prescribed Cephalexin 500 mg 3X a day for 10 days. From the first day, I had stomach pain, diarrhea, headache, anxiety, confusion, and heart palpitations. At first, I thought all of these issues were from being sick and lack of sleep. By day two, I knew it was this medicine. I went down to two doses a day, but by day 5, I had to stop taking it. Worst drug ever! The smell of the drug is a cross between a rotting dead animal and rotten eggs, never again will I touch this drug. Usually, I read drug info before starting a drug, but I was so sick I failed to do this first. Going forward, I will not make this mistake. I experienced too many side effects from this drug."

• Gin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2018

"I was prescribed Cephalexin by a doctor at a hospital I visited when my arm swelled up and the rash I had got very severe. I had been exposed to poison sumac three weeks prior and it just went nuts in that third week. When the swelling entered my hand, I knew I was in trouble. I was prescribed prednisone, which got rid of the swelling splendidly, and Cephalexin to deal with the infection. The Cephalexin dosage was 4 per day for 7 days. It made me overly anxious, I had trouble sleeping, my stomach was a little upset, and I ended up with vaginal discharge (really yucky), but it was so important to get rid of that infection, I took the entire prescription. My arm is in much better shape, though not 100% yet. I am satisfied with the positive results."

• Anonymous
• December 4, 2009

"This drug did kill the staph infection that my husband was suffering, but the side effects have been miserable. His joints are extremely painful and swollen, his knees so swollen. He has never had painful joints before -- he is a healthy 32-year-old who has not been on antibiotics since elementary school, and this drug really knocked him out."

• Ash...
• August 6, 2014

"Was given 500 mg 3 x daily for 10 days for pimple-like rash bumps all over body and for a bladder infection. Today is my first day, already experiencing ringing in ears, diarrhea, blurry vision, and a headache. Not too thrilled, I guess I'll have to play this out carefully."

• WX1...
• September 9, 2011

"I had a very serious and extremely painful infection where I had two large moles removed off my neck. My doctor gave me cephalexin as a backup treatment to the topical antibiotics. He was unsure about how well it would work on the wounds, but it did and very fast! Within two days of the first dose, I was seeing healing and in a lot less pain. It really worked great!"

• Pea...
• April 2, 2013

"Penicillin VK did -0-; Keflex cleared up a bad infection from getting a 2-inch splinter out of the upper half of the bottom of my foot. Side effects were miserable: pain, fatigue, constipation; now 6 days since the last doses. Still, Keflex cleared up the infection that had a brown/yellow discharge. A strange antibiotic, but I'd rather have pain than cellulitis."

• Lov...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2021

"I was prescribed this drug, 500 mg, for 7 days after rhinoplasty to prevent infection. If taken without food, I get nauseous and vomit, it also leaves a metallic taste in your mouth all day. I was also prescribed opioids, and that didn’t even cure the headaches from this drug. I am an emotional mess, crying all the time for no reason, insomnia and super fatigued, vivid nightmares, also, day 4, I got a horrible yeast infection. This is my last day, and I truly hope that I go back to normal. The depression and anxiety is the worst. Since it was not taken for a condition but for preventative purposes after surgery, I'm not sure if it worked, but the side effects are horrendous! Hope I never have to take this ever again!"

• Bop...
• May 10, 2021

"I developed an infection in my fingernail after scrubbing a floor; overnight it involved my whole finger with infection. My doctor gave me Cephalexin 500 mg 4x a day. The first day was not too bad, although I was beginning to develop a headache, drowsiness, and lost my desire to eat. By day 4, my stomach was swollen and cramping, I had terrible nausea, a constant headache, and my eyes felt irritated and burning. At that point, I had 7 more days to go on the medicine and could not face it. I called the doctor and asked to be switched to another antibiotic. I could not go to work or even get out of bed at that point."

• Anonymous
• February 6, 2017

"I started on this medication and noticed a rapid heartbeat. I hate it - it makes me feel miserable. I'm on 4 doses a day of 500 mg. This makes it too difficult for me. I even took my blood pressure medication, no help, and I can't sleep. I will go to the ER tomorrow for another solution if possible. This is so scary, the medication is too strong for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 22, 2019

"Took as directed by the doctor for two weeks to treat folliculitis. Within a couple of days of completing, the folliculitis is back, worse than ever. All it did was cause endless diarrhea for two weeks straight. This medication was useless."