Cephalexin and Tiredness: What Users Say

• Zil...
• February 17, 2019

Cephalexin for Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed 500mg (Keflex) four times a day, for ten days. This was for a boil that I've had for eight years. I thought it was a pimple, but when it got worse than ever, I saw a doctor who confirmed it as a boil. They then proceeded to try lancing and squeezing it. I almost became unconscious, this is how bad it had become. Anyways, you are here for the drug review. The only side effect that I noticed was a slight tired feeling. I have anxiety, so I didn't take the pills until around a week after being prescribed, for a fear of side effects. There is nothing to be worried about, trust that it will help you. Now, my boil is completely gone and I can relax."

• Fat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2020

Cephalexin for Bladder Infection "So I ended a Saturday at the ER. I ended up having a urinary infection, a severe one. The PA prescribed Keflex 500 mg for 7 days - it really helped after 2 days, but I noticed that it does bring out side effects on myself. I feel nauseous, tired, agitated, eyes feel hot, headaches. Even though I took 2 Advil, it was still there. I also feel super anxious, I've been having mood swings, I feel more sad, and somehow more depressed than I have been in the past. And I still have one more day to go."

• Anonymous
• July 9, 2013

For Bladder Infection "I am very sensitive to antibiotics. Bactrim makes me nauseous, gives me a rapid heartbeat, and makes me feel like I have a fever. Cephalexin, on the other hand, doesn't make me feel sick at all. The only thing it really does is make me exhausted for the first 1-3 hours after taking the dose and makes me feel high during that time. Not sure if that is a good or bad thing. However, if I stand up during this 1-3 hour time frame, I do get a little dizzy and slightly nauseous, but it's nothing. Overall, good medicine."

• Ama...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2018

Cephalexin for Bladder Infection "I have constant battles with UTIs, so I’ve taken a lot of different antibiotics. Keflex is definitely a good one, but for me, I have to take 500 mg three times a day, so I get some side effects, mostly tired, stomach cramps, and dizzy. It’s not bad, though, like some of the other ones I’ve taken. Before I had repeat infections, I had the 500 mg twice a day dose and had very minor cramping from that dose. It’s my go-to when I can take it. Drink lots of water with it too, it helps flush your system faster and get rid of the infection and its side effects quicker."

• Pie...
• June 5, 2021

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "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."

• Lyn...
• June 8, 2019

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "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."

• Ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2020

For Bladder Infection "I was prescribed Keflex 500 mg dose 4 times a day for a bladder infection. I’m sensitive to medicine, but this seems to be the one that I’m not as bad with compared to others. I’m on my 4th day, and I feel like it’s helping the symptoms of my UTI. I also have E. coli in my urine, so it treats both. At first, I felt so nasty, sluggish, depressed, like I felt like I had the flu or just was really sick. Now, in my 4th day, I’m still tired. I also had the feeling of nausea that is starting to go away. I feel like even if it gives you tiredness and some side effects, just ride it out. It’s hard to do, I feel like 7 days is just too long to take 4 times a day for an antibiotic, but try to stick it out and see if the side effects start to fade as you take it more. I would rather take this instead of something that makes me have heart palpitations. Everything has a side effect, so if you can bear it, just try to push through it. Good luck to everyone, hope I can finish mine."

• Cle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2019

For Bladder Infection "Got a UTI. Dr. gave me Macrobid at first, and I was so dizzy and nauseous that I couldn't work. After he called in cephalexin, I immediately felt better. In fact, the first two days I felt great. The next five days I was tired, but that has been the only side effect. This is my last day of it. I do think I got a yeast infection, despite taking some probiotics, though I forgot on two days. I used Monistat last night, just in case. I usually have such horrid symptoms with any antibiotics that I'm glad this one didn't give me bad side effects. I'll definitely request it again if needed. In the meanwhile, I'll go back to D-Mannose, which does an amazing job at preventing UTIs."

• Tir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "I had a combination of an infection after an extraction, as well as a skin infection that hurt very badly (both things). I was prescribed 500 mg of cephalexin every 6 hours. By the second day, they were both feeling so much better. I was hesitant because I've had allergic reactions to other antibiotics and a severe reaction to Bactrim. Thankfully, nothing like that with this medication, but it does cause a very inconvenient stomach upset that causes me to have to get to the bathroom in a hurry throughout the day. I have noticed I'm more tired, I'm not sure if that's a side effect from the medication alone or because of having to use the bathroom so often. But I push through the negatives because it has done wonders for the infections."

• Bea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I started this cephalexin antibiotic to prevent infection after having a tummy tuck. After three days, I developed dizziness/vertigo, slight confusion, and being tired. It felt almost like I slept too much all the time, kind of foggy. At first, I brushed it up to the major surgery I just had, but after a while, I started to panic. I called the surgeon’s office, and they recommended that I come off of the pain meds I had been given. It’s been days without pain meds, but I’m still feeling really out of it and dizzy. I found that this could be a symptom of this antibiotic. I took my last one today, so I will be back to update everyone on whether it goes away or not. I really hope it does."

• cur...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 2, 2022

Cephalexin for Bladder Infection "I have been prescribed Keflex since they stopped using Cipro for that a few years ago. Works great every time and works within hours. Makes me a little tired and I have a bit of a headache, but I think that might have to do with my body trying to heal itself. I always ask for it if it will treat the bacteria that caused my UTI. They won't prescribe this for some bacteria... FYI. I like that this drug has been around for years and years. Makes me feel safer about taking it."

• Lad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2012

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Had a bad reaction all the way. Within 15 minutes of taking, experienced shortness of breath, dizziness, diarrhea, throwing up, shakiness, full-blown rash/hives, cold/chills, confusion, slurred speech, rapid heart rate, ringing in the ears, extreme tiredness."

• SMH...
• April 14, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "I have asthma and have had respiratory problems my whole 27 years. When I get sick, I get sick as a dog for long periods of time. Needless to say, I have been prescribed several different antibiotics over the years, and each of them helped. However, every time I have taken cephalexin, I have noticed an almost immediate result. So immediate that it is shocking. Currently, I am prescribed 500 mg 3x per day for 10 days, and I haven't had any side effects aside from feeling tired, but every antibiotic does that to me. Cephalexin is by far the best antibiotic I have had. Everyone reacts differently, though, so we all have to find which medications work best for our bodies."

• 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."

• pit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 25, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "Finished a week on Keflex for a skin infection on my leg, so severe I could not put weight on my leg. Back to ER, put on Clindamycin 300 mg x 3 for 10 days. Come back if no improvement after 3 days. After 3 days, pain has improved, swelling better, must be working. Makes me tired and a little dizzy. Take probiotics for any GI issues. Always take with food."

• May...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2022

For Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed a week's worth of cephalexin, four 500 mg capsules a day for a possible UTI. For the first 2-3 days of taking this medication, I felt like a bloated, dizzy, tired zombie and didn't feel an improvement. For one of those days, I got horrible constipation and indigestion. I couldn't pass gas. It scared me and made me anxious. I began to question whether this medication would actually work for me. I also recommend taking a probiotic with this medication since it does go hard on your digestive system in my experience. Thankfully, by the middle of the 3rd day, I finally felt some relief and started to feel a bit better. I had less pain. Unfortunately, though, the next couple of days were a rollercoaster with the persistent stomach pain and constipation. After treatment, urine tests came back free of infection. I still have some stomach pain, dizziness, fatigue, and some constipation, though hopefully it goes away soon. I will keep treating and healing my stomach with probiotics. Maybe I would try another medication next time."

• 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."

• Shy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2022

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I had a really infected ingrown toenail and was put on 500 mg cephalexin 3 times a day for a week. I'm only 120 lbs and still pretty young. The medication does work, and I'm only 3 days in, and I definitely see improvement. The area isn't swollen, and there is no pus. However, I am being hit hard by the tiredness, weakness, and drowsiness. I've been trying to work on assignments, but can't keep my eyes open and am considering getting an extension."

• noa...
• April 15, 2020

For Kidney Infections "I was in terrible pain in my kidneys, so I had to go to the ER, and I got diagnosed with a kidney infection. I got prescribed cephalexin (500 mg 4 times a day) (mind you, I'm a 19-year-old girl). It made everything worse. I don't want to get out of bed because of how much pain I'm in. This med has been terrible. I've got a UTI, tired 24/7, not feeling any better."

• 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."

• 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."

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

For Bacterial Infection "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

For Bacterial Infection "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."

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

For Bacterial Infection "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."