Cephalexin and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Ele...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 22, 2020

For Kidney Infections "I've had many UTIs before, and they normally give me Cipro, which works great for me. My doctor told me that Cipro apparently causes tendon rupture, so they gave me cephalexin antibiotic instead (amoxicillin does nothing for me anymore). Cephalexin makes me so exhausted that I'm now sleeping almost all day and have started missing my alarms to take it again! I'm on the 3rd day, and I'm barely feeling better (I'm taking it 2x a day every 12 hours for 7 days at 500 mg). Not to mention it's giving me unpleasant dreams and making me so itchy! I'm not sure if I'm accidentally overdosing myself to try to catch up on missed doses and causing these side effects or what... but after this round, I'm requesting that they NEVER give me these antibiotics again!"

• 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."

• suz...
• February 18, 2009

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I experienced muscle pain in my arm; they felt very tired and sore. I stopped taking the cephalexin after 4 days, and my skin infection came back. I started taking it again after missing one day, and the infection went away again, but the next morning my neck and shoulders were very sore, and it hurt to move."

• 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."

• All...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2022

For Bladder Infection "I recently had a UTI, and they first prescribed me Sulfamethoxazole/ Trimethoprim (otherwise known as Bactrim DS), which was “too strong,” said the doctor in the emergency room. They then switched me over to the 500 mg Cephalexin. I actually have had no major side effects, but I feel exhausted whenever the medicine is in effect. Other than that, the medicine helped me feel so much better within a few hours of taking it, and my UTI was cleared in 2 days!"

• Ale...
• January 26, 2017

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I'm not sure if it's working. Was prescribed 2 a day for 10 days. I get cystic acne, and I have broken out worse since taking it. Makes me bloated and tired, but can't sleep. Also makes my skin super dry. I just finished my last dose. I hope it's one of those that gets worse before it gets better. Just try to get Accutane."

• 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."

• nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 21, 2020

For Kidney Infections "I am currently pregnant and taking this for a UTI. Pregnancy makes me tired and nauseous, but this literally takes me out. I am so sleepy and out of it. I feel drunk or something. I have to finish this in order to clear my infection because I get way worse side effects with other medications. Getting my urine rechecked at the end of the treatment to see if it cleared up. Hopefully, it did because I can’t take any more of this stuff."

• mer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "Second time I have taken this. First time was 4 years ago for cellulitis, 500 mg 4 times a day for 10 days, and it worked, but I was in bed most of the time post-surgery. This week, I was on it for a possible bacterial infection of neck up. 500 mg 3 times a day for 5 days. Very tired the entire time, legs hurt to where it was hard to walk sometimes, my neuropathy got bad in my feet for one morning only. I had a little numbness near my mouth for a short time twice, had some whopper headaches, I dreamed heavily, which I don’t do. My back molar is bothering me, and I called my dentist, and they said this should clear that too. It has not. Despite these side effects, I would take it again. So, despite my side effects, I would take it again. Calling the dentist Monday!"

• Ult...
• September 11, 2018

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "My husband developed an infection at the surgical incision site following radical nephrectomy after diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma. Everything seemed fine till post-op 11 days when staples were removed, and the nurse commented the wound was still draining and put a bandage on, which is unusual. Two days later, started having more pain, felt worse, less energy. Four days after staples were removed, said incision felt hot. Was red where it had been draining and hot to touch. Entire incision line hard and rigid, which the doctor shrugged off as a hematoma, we spent four hours in the ER. No blood work. Given Keflex four times a day for seven days. Had been taking it now for three and a half days. Redness and hot area has spread, still no energy, no appetite, and does not feel well. Going back to the ER because should have been given a stronger antibiotic, especially after having surgery with a chance of MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus), which can’t be treated with first-line antibiotics. Would not recommend this to anyone!!!"

• Wig...
• November 22, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "16-year-old son was prescribed 1000 mg twice a day for a sinus infection. He's been sick for 4 weeks, and they thought it was mono. He's already so tired, all he wants to do is sleep. Plus, cough and congestion. Mono blood test results came back negative, so they prescribed him this super heavy dose of cephalexin for 10 days to treat a 'possible' sinus infection. I don't even know if this is good or bad for my son to take, so I'm reading reviews. I have not seen one review where they were prescribed 1000 mg twice a day. So I'm going to give my son 500 mg twice a day and see if it helps. Along with a probiotic as he has always had stomach intestinal issues. Haven't given him any yet but will keep you posted. Thank you for sharing your experiences!"

• a_d...
• September 26, 2016

For Bladder Infection "Keflex works on me for UTI/bladder infections, but it gives me frequent diarrhea and makes me exhausted! I also get really bad dry mouth while taking it, too."

• kli...
• August 31, 2011

Cephalexin for Bone infection "Very hard to manage diarrhea while taking the antibiotic. Very tired and stomach was distended."

• Fra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 10, 2023

For Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed this for a UTI. After taking just two capsules, I had backache, tiredness, and my vagina was burning. Never anymore!"