Cephalexin

ATC Code J01DB01

Cephalexin

Definition

A beta-lactam, first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic with bactericidal activity. Cephalexin binds to and inactivates penicillin-binding proteins (PBP) located on the inner membrane of the bacterial cell wall. Inactivation of PBPs interferes with the cross-linking of peptidoglycan chains necessary for bacterial cell wall strength and rigidity. This results in the weakening of the bacterial cell wall and causes cell lysis. Compared to second and third generation cephalosporins, cephalexin is more active against gram-positive and less active against gram-negative organisms.

Also known as CEPHALEXIN, Keflex — per NCIT

Also identified as

Indications

Disease Relation Source
Bacterial endocarditis may prevent MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)
Bacterial pneumonia may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)
Escherichia coli infection may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)
Haemophilus infectious disease may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)
Klebsiella infectious disease may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)
Moraxellaceae infectious disease may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)
Otitis media may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)
Pharyngitis may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)
Proteus infectious disease may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)
Skin disease caused by bacterial infection may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)
Staphylococcal infection may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)
Streptococcal infection may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)
Urinary tract infection may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)

Organ Effects

Organ Side effect / interaction Source
Chordate pharynx may treat a disease of this organ DERIVED · CC BY 4.0
Craniocervical region may treat a disease of this organ DERIVED · CC BY 4.0
Ear may treat a disease of this organ DERIVED · CC BY 4.0
Lungs may treat a disease of this organ DERIVED · CC BY 4.0
Middle ear may treat a disease of this organ DERIVED · CC BY 4.0
Neck may treat a disease of this organ DERIVED · CC BY 4.0
Respiratory system may treat a disease of this organ DERIVED · CC BY 4.0

7 entries above are marked DERIVED: Atlas Médico inferred them by combining two sourced claims, and no source asserts these links directly. Treat them as a navigation aid, not as a clinical statement.