Cephalexin Side Effects

Cephalexin is an antibiotic used to treat otitis media [middle ear infections], bronchitis, pneumonia, tonsillitis, urinary tract infections, skin and bone infections. I was first given cephalexin when I had pneumonia. I've also taken it when I had bronchitis. It was an effective drug for me on both occasions. My children have both taken it when they had ear infections.

The side effects I experienced included an upset stomach, some mild nausea and diarrhea. These are all listed on the cephalexin website as possible side effects. Other possible side effects can be vomiting, headaches, dizziness, skin rash and vaginitis. The children never had these side effects of cephalexin since I fed them my "remedy food" I'll share with you below.

It is recommended that a person contact their doctor if upset stomach, vomiting or rash symptoms are severe or persistent. Similarly, if they develop a yeast infection of the vagina or the mouth, their doctor should be contacted. Thrush, or an oral yeast infection in adults, can be a symptom of a compromised immune system. Only a physician can make this determination, so it is important to report this side effect as soon as possible.

Some bacteria in a person's intestinal tract and a woman's vagina are necessary for a healthy environment. When cephalexin enters the body, it destroys bacteria, period. That includes the beneficial bacteria living in the vagina and intestines. When the beneficial bacteria are destroyed, along with the bacteria causing an infection somewhere else in the body, then the side effects of vaginitis, vaginal yeast infections, and diarrhea can occur.

I treated these side effects when I had them by eating fruity yogurt containing live cultures. This can be found in any grocery store, in a variety of flavors. The cultures in the yogurt help replace the bacteria being destroyed. As the body takes in these cultures and the natural bacterial balance is restored, the side effects of cephalexin are eased. When my children came along, I never gave them a chance to feel the side effect of diarrhea. I started them on the yogurt with their first dose of the drug.

This simple remedy worked for me. I would go to the grocery store to get several containers of yogurt while my prescription was being filled. I forget who suggested this solution to me, but it has been effective every time I've had to take any antibiotic.