cephalexin
hydrochloride
Keftab
cephalexin
monohydrate
Apo-Cephalex (CAN), Keflex, Novo-
Lexin (CAN), Nu-Cephalex (CAN), PMSCephalexin
(CAN)
Nursing Considerations
• Use cephalexin cautiously in patients
hypersensitive to penicillin because crosssensitivity
occurs in about 10% of them.
• If possible, obtain culture and sensitivity
test results, as ordered, before giving drug.
•Monitor patient’s BUN and serum creatinine
levels to detect early signs of nephrotoxicity.
Also monitor fluid intake and
output; decreasing urine output may indicate
nephrotoxicity.
•Monitor for allergic reactions a few days
after therapy starts.
• Assess CBC, hematocrit, and serum AST,
ALT, bilirubin, LD, and alkaline phosphatase
levels during long-term therapy.
• Assess patient’s bowel pattern daily; severe
diarrhea may indicate pseudomembranous
colitis caused by Clostridium difficile. If
diarrhea occurs, notify prescriber and
expect to withhold cefotaxime and treat
with fluids, electrolytes, protein, and an
antibiotic effective against C. difficile.
• Assess patient for pharyngitis, ecchymosis,
bleeding, and arthralgia; they may indicate
a blood dyscrasia.
PATIENT TEACHING
• Advise patient to complete prescribed
course of therapy.
• Instruct patient to shake oral suspension
well before measuring each dose and to
use a calibrated liquid-measuring device
to ensure an accurate dose.
• Tell patient that yogurt and buttermilk can
help maintain intestinal flora and decrease
diarrhea during therapy.
• Urge patient to immediately report watery,
bloody stools to prescriber, even if they
occur up to 2 months after cephalexin
therapy has ended.
