What is Cephalexin?

Cephalexin is an antibacterial drug of the cephalosporin class. This antibiotic was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1971 as a first-generation cephalosporin. It is used to treat a myriad of susceptible bacterial infections in adults and pediatric patients. It is available as a generic and under the brand name, Keflex. It is also available under the brand name Rilexine tor oral use in dogs only for the treatment of urinary tract infections and bacterial skin infections.  

Cephalexin Forms and Specifications 

Cephalexin is available as cephalexin monohydrate and comes in many specifications such as an API powder, tablet, chewable tablet (for oral use in dogs only), capsule, and an oral suspension. 

Cephalexin Monohydrate API Powder 99%

Raw material of cephalexin monohydrate (CAS number 23325-78-2) is in the form of an off-white to white crystalline powder. The specification from Arshine Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd and Newpharm Chemical Science & Technology Co., Ltd is 99% min.

Cephalexin Tablets

Cephalexin tablets are available in two strengths: 250 mg and 500 mg. 

Cephalexin Chewable Tablets (for oral use in dogs only)

Rilexine (cephalexin) chewable tablets are the first veterinary, FDA-approved cephalexin for oral use in dogs only. These tablets are available in strengths of 150 mg, 300 mg, and 600 mg. 

Cephalexin Capsules

Cephalexin capsules are available in strengths of 250 mg, 500 mg, and 750 mg.

The brand, Keflex, is only available as a capsule and comes in strengths of 250 mg, 500 mg, and 750 mg.

Cephalexin Powder for Oral Suspension

Cephalexin is also available as a powder for oral suspension. There are two different sized bottles that come in two different concentrations:

• 100 mL bottle of 125 mg/5 mL 

• 200 mL bottle of 125 mg/5 mL

• 100 mL bottle of 250 mg/5 mL

• 200 mL of 250 mg/5 mL 

Cephalexin VS Amoxicillin

Cephalexin is a first-generation cephalosporin, belonging to a larger classification of antibiotics known as the beta-lactams. Cephalexin is primarily effective against otitis media (ear infection), upper and lower respiratory tract infections, genitourinary tract infections, mastitis (infection of breast tissue), and bone, joint and skin infections.

Amoxicillin is derived from penicillin. Like cephalexin, it also belongs to the beta-lactam class of antibiotics and is effective against otitis media (ear infections), upper and lower respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and skin infections.  

Although cephalexin and amoxicillin are beta-lactam antibiotics and are effective against some of the same bacterial infections, they each cover unique bacterial infections as well. For example, while cephalexin is effective against osteomyelitis (bone infection), infectious osteoarthritis, impetigo (skin infection), and mastitis (infection of breast tissue), amoxicillin is not. While amoxicillin is effective against sinusitis (sinus infection), cephalexin is not. 

Cephalexin Monohydrate Mechanism of Action

Cephalexin is a first-generation cephalosporin, containing a beta-lactam and dihydrothiazide. Cephalexin is bactericidal, inhibiting the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall’s peptidoglycan layer and causing cell breakdown and ultimately cell death. 

Cephalexin Uses

Cephalexin is used to treat genitourinary tract infections, sinus infections, strep throat, and ear infections. 

Cephalexin Dosage 

The dosage of cephalexin for adults ranges from 1,000 mg to 4,000 mg daily in divided doses for 7 to 14 days. The dose is usually 250 mg every 6 hours, but 500 mg every 12 hours is given for certain infections. 

The usual daily dosage for pediatric patients is 25 to 50 mg/kg in divided doses. 

Cephalexin Side Effects 

Side effects of cephalexin include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, stomach pain, dizziness, fatigue, headache, joint pain, rectal or genital itching, agitiation, or confusion. 

Cephalexin Monohydrate API Powder Manufacturing Process

The manufacturing of Cephalexin Monohydrate API must be produced under appropriate quality control systems that comply with the regulations of international GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) to achieve high-quality and safe API for FDA approval. 

Cephalexin Monohydrate API is made by several different chemical compounds of raw materials called intermediates. The first process is preparation: the raw materials are weighed, milled, or mixed. Next is the reaction process where the raw materials undergo chemical reactions to form the active ingredient. After this long manufacturing process, impurities are removed from the active ingredient via crystallization, filtration, drying, milling, sieving, centrifugation or by combination of these methods. Cephalexin Monohydrate API is purified and tested according to quality standards until it reaches 99% min purity. 

Where can you buy Cephalexin Monohydrate API Powder in bulk?

Chinese medical supplies manufacturers, Arshine Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd and Newpharm Chemical Science & Technology Co., Ltd, manufacture raw material of Cephalexin Monohydrate API powder 99% in bulk quantities. If you need a price quote and certificate of analysis (COA) or a detailed specification sheet, please visit these manufacturers on www.25793.cn.

Arshine Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd specializes in exporting human and veterinary API pharmaceutical ingredients. Their sales continue to grow annually, and they now rank among the top 10 in all pharmaceutical raw materials export enterprises in China and in the top 3 of private exporters.

As a professional exporter of pharmaceutical ingredients, Newpharm Chemical & Science Technology Co., Ltd are dedicated to bridging the gap between manufacturers and end-users. Their experienced managers have decades of experience in API pharmaceutical ingredients.

Advantages of PharmaSources 

Pharmasources.com is a wonderful and professional platform, dedicated to providing high-quality products and suppliers for global customers. They deliver services to more than 900,000 active members across 211 countries and regions, and feature more than 1,600,000 products in 30 major categories that span the entire pharma supply chain. Their mission is “to connect global buyers with quality suppliers and facilitate easy trade of the pharmaceutical industry.”

FAQ:

What does cephalexin look like?

• Cephalexin’s appearance is an off-white to white crystalline powder.

What does cephalexin treat?

• Cephalexin is used to treat urinary tract infections, sinus infections, strep throat, and ear infections. 

Is cephalexin a penicillin?

• No, cephalexin is a first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. 

Is cephalexin an antibiotic?

• Yes, cephalexin is classified as a first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic.

References 

1. About manufacturing APIs. Katsura Chemical. https://www.katsura-chemical.co.jp/en/manuf

   acturing/. Accessed May 17, 2021. 

2. About Us. Newpharm. https://www.newpharm.com.cn/about-us/. Accessed May 15, 2021.

3. API Production. Zeta. https://www.zeta.com/en/api-production_188.htm. Accessed May 17, 2021.

4. Arshine. Arshine. http://www.cnarshine.com/about/. Accessed May 15, 2021.

5. Cephalexin. GoodRx. https://www.goodrx.com/cephalexin. Accessed May 14, 2021.

6. Cephalexin. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682733.html. Last revised  

    June 15, 2016. Accessed May 15, 2021.

7. Cephalexin monohydrate. DrugBank. https://go.drugbank.com/salts/DBSALT001841. Accessed May 14, 2021.

8. Cephalexin monohydrate. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Cephalexin-monohydrate. Accessed May 14, 2021.

9. First Generation Cephalosporins. GlobalRPh. https://globalrph.com/infectious-disease-list/first-generation-cephalosporins/#cephalexin-keflex. Accessed May 14, 2021.

10. Rilexene (cephalexin tablets) Chewable Tablets. Virbac.  https://us.virbac.com/home/our-product/pagecontent/product-selector/rilexine-cephalexin-chewable.html. Accessed May 14, 2021.

11. Torres, Kristi, Pharm.D. Cephalexin vs. Amoxicillin: Differences, similarities, and which is better for you. SingleCare.https://www.singlecare.com/blog/cephalexin-vs-amoxicillin/. Updated December 22, 2020. Accessed May 15, 2021. 

12. What is an API? Katsura Chemical. https://www.katsura-chemical.co.jp/en/drugs/. Accessed May 17, 2021.