Cephalexin and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Kea...
• April 14, 2019

For Kidney Infections "Was put on cephalexin for a UTI, 500 mg twice a day for 7 days. Have just finished it after a horrendous experience. Very bad indigestion, anxiety, diarrhea first day, then constipated. Fatigue and headache. Shakes with hot and cold periods. After a day of finishing, the diarrhea has returned. Will never take this medication again."

• Fee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "I saw a doctor, and he gave me this: take 4 daily for a week! I'm on day 6, and I feel so lost and can't even think straight. It had diarrhea and I feel so tired where I can't even stay up without wanting to just close my eyes, and also dizzy and headaches. I think I got a high dose for something kind of little. I have this small blister from breastfeeding, and the doctor must have thought it was something else, but so far it kind of helped heal it. But the side effects are so bad. I'm going back to the doctor because I can't take these meds anymore. I hate this feeling."

• NoT...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2015

For Bacterial Infection "I'm currently halfway through my Keflex treatment for a skin infection on my ankle. I'm prescribed 500 mg twice a day for 30 days. I wish I could be one of the few to say this has been a pleasant experience. I'm not sure if whatever this infection is is just highly resistant or was just that bad, but I'm on week 3 and have only seen mild improvement so far. Plus, this stinky antibiotic is making me miserable... nausea, diarrhea 5 times a day on average, stomach cramps, and joint aches. I've been taking probiotics the entire time I've been on Keflex because I've always had issues with yeast infections even prior to this. I plan on calling the doctor tomorrow to see if I have any alternatives."

• Lau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 16, 2020

For Kidney Infections "I went to the ER for a kidney infection, and they prescribed me Cephalexin for 14 days. I am currently on day 10, and my kidneys still hurt. My side effect symptoms are diarrhea, feeling lightheaded at times, and also stomach bloating and pain. I reviewed it with my doctor, and she said to continue for the 14 days. I will come back for a final review."

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

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "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."

• don...
• September 20, 2015

For Bacterial Infection "I had folliculitis. My doctor prescribed 500 mg to me 4 times a day for ten days. I had to stop at day 6. I had diarrhea up to 5 times a day. Then I got a yeast infection on my penis right after I stopped taking cephalexin. Currently, I have candida overgrowth and it is not going away. I wished I never took this antibiotic... it does more harm than it does help."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2019

For Kidney Infections "Went to the ER Sunday for pain in back, constant feeling of needing to pee, pain when urinating, and blood in urine. Diagnosed with a kidney infection and was prescribed 500mg of Keflex 2x a day for 10 days. Since then there isn’t any more blood or pain when I pee. I also don’t have to go every 2 seconds, but it’s day 4 and I’m having some wicked side effects. I am exhausted. I still definitely have the infection (had a follow-up appointment already), so that could be contributing to the tiredness, but I’m falling asleep every 2-3 hours. First 2 days I had terrible diarrhea, but now I’m constipated. The stomach cramps are also really not fun. Taking lots of Advil to help with that. I haven’t been able to work due to these side effects and the symptoms from the infection. But the meds are working, getting rid of one symptom at a time."

• Bec...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2019

"This cephalexin is an awful drug. I am taking the generic. I have taken it for three days as a precaution after surgery to remove plaques from my eyelids. My side effects: headache, diarrhea, muscle weakness, fatigue, fast heart rate, dizziness, depressed mood, and anxiety. Never again. I cannot wait to be off it. Doctors throw drugs at patients without consideration for side effects. I called the doctor, they said to complete the prescription. No wonder patients stop taking antibiotics. Awful drug."

• Sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 21, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "I took this medicine on two different occasions for an infection, and on both occasions, it made my throat swell up, hard to swallow, extreme dry mouth to where I had to take sips of water every 10 seconds for hours on end just to keep my mouth wet! I was prescribed 500 mg 4 times a day. Didn't even get past the 1st day. It also gave me diarrhea that smelled just like the pills do. Made me nauseous. Will never touch again."

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

For Bacterial Infection "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."

• Jod...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2020

For Bladder Infection "Had a bad UTI and was prescribed Keflex 3x a day for 10 days. After 4 days, I had a fever and felt sick to my stomach. On day 5, a blistery rash appeared on my hands and leg. Day 6, diarrhea started. I spent the next 2 days in bed with constant diarrhea. Finally went to the ER due to dehydration, and the doctor said I shouldn't have taken it longer than 5 days max. Told me to stop taking it, took 2 bags of fluids to rehydrate me. Good news was my UTI was gone, but I still have diarrhea 4 days after it started and am now taking meds for that. I think everything would have been fine if I had taken Keflex for less time."

• nat...
• December 7, 2015

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Was on cephalexin 4 times a day for 1 week to treat an infected burn. It treated the infection nice and quick with a few side effects. I threw up twice while on it despite taking the pills with food as instructed. It caused nausea and diarrhea near the end of my prescription, which made me feel horrible. I also had increased anxiety while on the medication."

• Eva...
• February 7, 2016

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I was prescribed this as a precaution because I had a mole removed, however, I had the worst experience. I don't know if I had food poisoning during the first night of taking it, or if it was entirely the cephalexin, but I had a 12-hour episode of vomiting and diarrhea. After that, I was sick for an entire week with nausea and evidently sick (couldn't eat anything different than the BRAT diet). I decided to stop taking cephalexin, and in 12 hours, I was MUCH better. My doctor said that since we are all different, some antibiotics might not work at all for some of us. This is the first time in my life I had a bad experience with an antibiotic."

• you...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 24, 2020

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I had been taking Valtrex for a herpes rash on my hands that became infected, and was taking Bactrim for that. The Valtrex was causing severe panic attacks, the doc prescribed cephalexin because he believed the meds were interacting. 250 mg 4 times a day for 14 days. I stopped taking the Valtrex and the severe panic stopped, but still need the antibiotics for 10 more days. I've had no appetite, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, shaking, chills, and sweating but no fever with still borderline panic attacks because my anxiety is so high. The side effects are what I can consider tolerable most of the time, although I've nearly gone to the emergency room twice. I currently have 4 more doses and will be done in 24 hours, and I am ready for it to be over. The medication did do its job well, but I wish I had stayed on the Bactrim."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2022

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Prescribed 500 mg 4 times a day for an infected tick bite. From day one, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, major headaches, and altered moods. I am on day 5 now, side effects are not any better, and I am feeling depressed. The tick bite site looks like it is healing. I would not take this given another option."

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2023

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "This was prescribed for a laceration injury on my hand from the ER after it was cleaned and stitched up. 500 mg four times a day. I had so much nausea the first day I vomited up the mint tea, which was all I had taken that day, then started using Zofran but still could not eat anything. I was also constipated that day. I was so tired I spent most of the day asleep. I am now on day 3 and still have to force myself to eat or drink and have lost 7 lbs. Constipation turned to mild diarrhea. I also have a headache and backache and am so tired. I have four more days to go, my doctor has approved my reducing the dose to three times a day, and I am trying to stay the course. I want to thank all the previous commenters here since so many of the symptoms they reported settled my mind (I also feel I am more anxious than usual) about what was happening to me."

• For...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 20, 2017

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "The doctor prescribed 500 mg, four times a day for seven days as a treatment for an infected mosquito bite. The first day was fine, but by the second day, I had severe stomach pains, diarrhea, and shortness of breath. I have decided that I will never take this medicine again."

• SMc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2018

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I was on 500 mg four times a day for the week. It was great the first few days until I woke up because my stomach started burning. I had consistent diarrhea the whole day and the next. I also started feeling anxious to the point of a possible panic attack, which I haven’t had in about 3 years. Needless to say, yes, it helped my infection, however, I would rather have it than go through that again. I had to leave work halfway through my shift because of it, so I tossed them in the garbage."

• Ros...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2020

Cephalexin for Bladder Infection "I had cystitis and was put on Macrobid for 5 days, only to find out it didn’t do a thing for the infection. My Dr. gave me an injection of Rocephin in the office and suggested Keflex for 7 days, three times a day (500 mg). The Rocephin gave me a stomach ache and diarrhea, then I took Keflex, and it made me queasy the rest of the day. The second pill I was fine and have remained side effect-free since then. I finish my course tomorrow but still feel the cramping and mild pain from a UTI, so I’m not sure this antibiotic worked either. We’ll see!"

• Min...
• May 7, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "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."

• Apr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2024

For Bladder Infection "I started taking Cephalexin after a procedure I had (HSG) left me with a severe UTI and/or bladder infection. I had the severe burning sensation and abdominal pain prior to taking medication within 24 hours. I notice a major difference. I experienced very dark red-orange urine for the next four days of taking this medicine. I thought it was the pills, but by day five and six my urine was no longer red and orange, it was clearer. While on this medicine, I did feel a lot more tired than usual. I spent most of my days in bed, every now and again, I would get a very upset stomach and only had diarrhea one time. I am now on day seven of my medication and no longer experience the dark urine or abdominal pain or upset stomach, the medicine seems to have worked very well, and I am satisfied. One thing I did was drink a lot of water while on this antibiotic. It worked best when I didn’t eat, when I ate, I felt a little more nauseous and lethargic."

• gjp...
• March 1, 2016

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I try not to take medicine unless I am really sick, but my doctor recommended I take cephalexin for a small cyst on my eyelid. I decided to try it because antibiotics are one of the medicines I believe are very good when you are sick and your body needs a little help to heal. My dosage was three 500 mg per day for 10 days. After the first day, I developed stomach cramps and diarrhea. I was not sure if it was due to the medicine, so I continued to take the cephalexin for two more days. When the condition did not get any better, I stopped taking the cephalexin. It has now been a week since I first took the cephalexin, and I still have stomach cramps and diarrhea. I advised my doctor's office of my problem, but they have not called me yet."

• Dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2022

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Little basal cell cancer removed. I always have some back, foot, hip pain, but now everything is so painful at the same time, horrible diarrhea, feel fatigued, almost like flu. I'm 68 with joint issues. It's bad to stop, but I can't do it. Worried about C.Diff. I took it before, no problem, but I can't function this time. Probably age and other conditions."

• Lrd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 9, 2021

"I had a septorhinoplasty and was prescribed 500 mg at 3x a day to prevent infection. It wasn’t until the third day on this medication that I experienced diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, and feeling hot/flushed. I called the doctor, and he said I could stop taking them. My recovery from surgery would’ve been a cakewalk if I didn’t end up taking this medication. Stay away!!"

• dro...
• November 22, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "I started taking cephalexin to prevent any bacterial infection before it got to any parts of my body. 500 mg 4x a day, 10 days. The underside of my right breast split, and it was a mean-looking gash. Have no idea why it happened, as I've never had any issues at all wearing my bras. And no, no underwires, and have had them for years, again, without any issues. :) Doc took a culture, and voila! I'm on pills that come out of a bottle that smells like someone trapped a fart in it. I ended up with diarrhea, at least 3 times a day, and today, I am trying out a probiotic to see if that will help in any way. Good luck to the newly prescribed. Different for everyone. :)"