Cephalexin and Nausea: What Users Say (Page 2)

• iha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2016

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I was prescribed 500 mg 4 times a day for 10 days to treat my folliculitis after shaving with a bad razor. The first day, I felt okay, but I'm on day 4, and I already feel like crap. I feel dizzy, extremely fatigued to the point where I feel like a lifeless potato, nausea, lightheadedness, and some mild abdominal pain here and there. I pretty much don't feel like doing anything. The folliculitis seems to be slowly improving, though it flares up again when I wake up, so I'm not entirely sure if this antibiotic is working. Might discontinue it if side effects get worse and try to get a different antibiotic."

• McM...
• March 8, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "Horrendous stuff. Foul smelling, stomach-churning, nausea-inducing, ugh. It made me feel I was on board a ship in a typhoon, retching hourly. I don't know how people take this. I will NEVER take this again if I can be prescribed something else that works. I have some positive experience with the healing of the toenail, but at what foul cost?"

• jes...
• November 23, 2020

Cephalexin for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I went to the ER, they said I had a UTI, so they gave me Keflex 500 mg 4 times a day for a week. I despise ANY medication because of the side effects, but I didn’t want a kidney infection as that’s way worse, so I took it. I had nausea and some mild diarrhea about an hour in, normal, right? So, a few days in, I felt like I was hit by a truck. I woke up fatigued, my anxiety was so bad, and I developed an achy back that lasted a week even after I was done taking it! I still have some mild diarrhea every day, and it’s been a week since I’ve finished the medicine. I have no clue how I pulled through and took all of it. It did indeed clear up my infection, but I still feel sick. I know it’s a turn-off reading this, and it makes you not want to take the medicine, but you HAVE TO unless you want a kidney infection, which is way worse, and you’ll be put on even more antibiotics if that happens. Just pull on through, but if you genuinely don’t feel good when taking it, talk to your doctor."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2020

For Kidney Infections "Absolutely horrible experience with this cephalexin medication. I was prescribed a dose of 500 mg 4 times a day for 10 days for a kidney infection. After the first 2-3 days, I started to have some chest pain and shortness of breath. I chalked it up to my asthma and tried to power through. But on the 8th day, my chest pain was so bad I had to make a trip to the ER. On top of that, it made me extremely nauseous."

• Mis...
• August 27, 2018

For Kidney Infections "I felt woozy for a couple of days. Then, I had stabbing pain in my side that radiated to my lower back. The doctor diagnosed me with a kidney infection and put me on Cephalexin. Despite the meds, back pain and side ache felt horrible. I continued to take the meds despite feeling tremendously nauseous, even dry vomiting once, feverish, cold chills, and no appetite. The thought of food made me retch. I kind of thought I could die. I drank lots of lemon-infused water. After the seventh dose, 36 hours from the first pill, I was no longer in pain or nauseous. I had a migraine, but the doctor told me to avoid coffee, and once I had a cup of coffee, the migraine went away, too. Four days later, and I'm good as new, but I'm going to continue taking the meds. I'm on 250 mg 4 times a day for 7 days. I suspect the medication is making my muscles tense, and I am not sleeping well, just 5 hours a night. Four times a day is a hassle. I was tempted to take 500 mg 2 times a day, but I didn't want to risk a setback."

• Anonymous
• February 5, 2018

For Bladder Infection "Had a UTI that got very bad very quickly. Took this antibiotic, 250 mg, and within an hour, I started to feel better! Had a bit of nausea as a side effect that would come and go, though if I kept myself well-fed every few hours, that seemed to help. Had a bit of a cloudy head and sleepiness as well, but not enough to prevent me from daily activities, work, etc."

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

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "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."

• Onl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2015

For Bacterial Infection "I am recovering from bilateral ureteral stents for 3 weeks and having 3 kidney stones total removed with a basket. Well, this was the antibiotic of choice because I could not take Bactrim. After two doses, I'm really sick. So, my urologist prescribed cephalexin, 3 times a day, 500 mg. This feeling did not start until I was done. After eating, especially dairy, the BG's would settle in, and after that, all my food is dumped out of me into the toilet with little warning and no time wasted getting there. No one told me I needed a probiotic, thanks to my friend, a nurse, a week after finishing this medication. After this explosive BM, it takes a day or so to get back to normal. So, with that being said, how do you keep this reaction from ever happening?"

• Anonymous
• May 2, 2016

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "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."

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

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "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."

• Hub...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2018

Cephalexin for Bacterial Infection "Hubby has a bad tooth, recently started hurting him extremely bad. Got hold of a dentist to get the tooth out. He prescribed Keflex 250 mg, for the first 3-4 doses he was to take 2 x 3 doses then 1 cap x 3/day until finished. Within 1 dose, his tooth pain went away, however, on the 2nd to 3rd dose, the nausea, vomiting, horrible stomach pain that he describes as a nasty pain which he has to make himself puke gives him short-term relief. So if he is able to tolerate the rest of the duration of the script, this will be added to his list of meds he can't take."

• Dmv...
• May 14, 2017

For Kidney Infections "I am a 59-year-old female and was diagnosed with a kidney infection. One week prior, I had minor UTI symptoms two random days for an hour or so. One week later, I was rushed to the ER, temp 103.2, severe shivering and shakes, and flu-like pains. Now I'm on cephalexin 48 hours. No fever at all. Extremely bloated. Slightly nauseous, abdominal pain, minimal body pain. Knocked fever right out. This stinks, but I think this was a great call on the antibiotic. I'm taking it 3x daily, 500 mg."

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

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "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

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "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."

• 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."

• Lin...
• November 3, 2016

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I got a flu shot, and the next morning I woke up with fever, pounding headache, and a large red swelling on my arm with streaks that connected to the lymph nodes. I was diagnosed with cellulitis. I was clearly not swabbed well enough, if at all (can't remember). I started on 3 doses of Cephalexin 500 per day, but got worse the first day and ended up in the ER. The ER doc bumped me up to 4 doses. It has pretty much cleared it up. The exhaustion has been horrific, and at times I'm dizzy. No diarrhea, but sometimes I become extremely nauseous. It strikes me out of nowhere. I find that taking Zantac helps. I'm also really achy and all around unwell. One pill to go, and I can't wait. But the stuff works, or I'd have developed sepsis, so all good."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 3, 2018

For Kidney Infections "I am allergic to penicillin, cipro, sulfas, and doxycycline. I had a UTI that spread to my kidneys, and I was terrified because of all of my allergies! So far, on day 5, I have not had an allergic reaction. I am usually incredibly sensitive to antibiotics, but this one has been okay! It will take your body some time to get used to the medication. I had an awful headache the first two or three days, but it got better. The joint pain and nausea improved as well. Eat yogurt and take Keflex with food, it helps a ton. Consume probiotics too."

• nam...
• August 23, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "The drug did help with my infection in my mouth that I had gotten from a piercing, but the side effects are awful. I was told to take 4 a day for 10 days, and I've had to expand the days because I cannot take 4 a day without wanting to pass out or throw up. I get so nauseous and am extremely tired from it. If you do take this pill, make sure you eat A LOT."

• Swe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2019

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I was given cephalexin for my tooth infection, 250 mg four daily for 7 days. I have one more day left. Thank goodness. I've been extremely tired and have had nausea since taking this med. I haven't been able to eat much other than oatmeal, jello, and crackers. I hope it has done the job as I don't think I can stomach it much longer. I'm allergic to sulfa drugs, so it was either this or penicillin, which both have similar side effects."

• 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."

• 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."

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

For Bacterial Infection "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."

• 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."

• SoM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2018

For Kidney Infections "22-year-old female, got diagnosed with UTI (first time), started Keflex within 3 hours of the UTI symptoms starting. Right after taking the meds, I started getting chills (probably my body fighting off the infection), then a low-grade fever. Terrible headaches. Nausea. Dry mouth. Some dizziness when getting up. Super fatigued. Anxiety. Today is day 3 of taking 500 mg 2x a day. Still hurts to urinate, but not nearly as bad as day 1. Sometimes my headaches go away a couple of hours after drinking the med. Might need to call the doc tomorrow to see if I can switch meds, because I’m not sure if I can put up with the 10-day prescribed treatment."