This article describes cephalexin oral forms’ dosages, strengths, and details on how to take the drug. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for cephalexin.
Cephalexin is a generic medication. It doesn’t come in a brand-name version.
If you want to know more about cephalexin oral forms, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Forms and strengths of cephalexin
Cephalexin oral forms come as:
- Tablets that you’ll swallow. These are available in strengths of:
- 250 milligrams (mg)
- 500 mg
- Capsules that you’ll swallow. These are available in strengths of:
- 250 mg
- 500 mg
- Liquid suspension that you’ll swallow. (This comes as a powder, and it’s mixed into a liquid mixture by a pharmacist.) It’s available in strengths of:
- 125 mg per 5 milliliters (mL)
- 250 mg per 5 mL
Dosage of cephalexin
This article describes the recommended dosages* for cephalexin oral forms.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you. Do not change your dosage of cephalexin oral forms without your doctor’s recommendation.
* The drugmaker provides these recommended dosages. If your doctor prescribes cephalexin, be sure to take the dosage they prescribe for you.
Usual recommended dosages of cephalexin
Cephalexin is used to treat certain bacterial infections in adults and some children. Viral infections, such as the common cold, can’t be treated with cephalexin oral forms. Examples of infections doctors may prescribe cephalexin to treat include:
The information below describes dosages that are commonly prescribed. That said, always take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs.
Dosage for UTI, skin infection, and other infections
Recommended dosages of cephalexin for certain bacterial infections are shown below. This information pertains to adults and children ages 15 years or older. (For information about dosages for younger children, see the section below.)
Recommended dosages:
- 250 milligrams (mg) once every 6 hours for 7 to 14 days, or
- 500 mg once every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days
For severe infections, doctors may increase the dosage to 4 grams (g), divided into two or four doses per day.
Pediatric dosages of cephalexin
Cephalexin oral forms are approved to treat certain bacterial infections in children older than 1 year of age.
For children ages 15 years and older, dosages are the same as for adults. See the section directly above for details.
For children older than 1 year of age and younger than 15 years of age, doctors calculate dosages using the child’s body weight. For reference, 1 kilogram (kg) equals 2.2 pounds (lb). Recommended dosages for this age group are described in the table below:
| Condition | Recommended dosages, which are usually given for 7 to 14 days |
| ear infection | 75 mg to 100 mg per kg of body weight per day, given once every 6 hours |
| other infections* | 25 mg to 50 mg per kg of body weight per day, given in divided doses, usually every 6 or 12 hours |
| severe infections | 50 mg to 100 mg per kg of body weight per day, given in divided doses, usually every 6 or 12 hours |
* Examples of other infections are respiratory tract infection, skin infection, UTI, and bone infection.
For example, a child weighing 30 kg (about 66 lb) with a respiratory tract infection may be prescribed a daily dosage of 750 mg to 1,500 mg. (This would be calculated as 25 mg to 50 mg of drug per kg of body weight.) It would be given as divided doses throughout the day as instructed by a doctor.
Dosage adjustments for cephalexin
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of cephalexin oral forms based on several factors, including:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- your age
- other health conditions you may have
If you have kidney problems, your doctor may decrease your dosage of cephalexin oral forms. If your kidneys are not working well, talk with your doctor before starting cephalexin treatment.
Missed dose of cephalexin
It’s important that you don’t miss a dose or stop taking cephalexin before you finish your treatment course. If you do so, your infection may get worse or not improve.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot a dose of cephalexin. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of cephalexin oral forms and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try downloading a reminder app on your phone or setting an alarm.
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about cephalexin oral forms and dosage.
Is there a recommended dosage of 500 mg four times per day for cephalexin?
Yes, it’s possible that a doctor may prescribe a dosage of 500 milligrams (mg) four times per day. To view usual cephalexin dosages, see the “Dosage of cephalexin” section above.
For severe infections, doctors may prescribe a dosage of cephalexin up to 4 grams (g), divided into two or four doses per day. For some tooth infections, dentists may prescribe a dosage of 500 mg four times per day.
Talk with your doctor about the dosage of cephalexin that’s right for you.
