In some cases, Cephalexin is used for the treatment of patients who are allergic to penicillin and may have a heart condition at the time when they are undergoing a procedure on their respiratory tract, to inhibit the development of infection on their heart valves.

Cephalexin, 7α-(D-amino-α-phenylacetamido)-3-methylcephemcarboxylicacid (Keflex, Keforal), was designed purposelyas an orally active, semisynthetic cephalosporin. Theoral inactivation of cephalosporins has been attributed to twocauses: instability of the β-lactam ring to acid hydrolysis(cephalothin and cephaloridine) and solvolysis or microbialtransformation of the 3-methylacetoxy group (cephalothin,cephaloglycin). The α-amino group of cephalexin renders itacid stable, and reduction of the 3-acetoxymethyl to a methylgroup circumvents reaction at that site.
Cephalexin occurs as a white crystalline monohydrate. Itis freely soluble in water, resistant to acid, and absorbed wellorally. Food does not interfere with its absorption. Becauseof minimal protein binding and nearly exclusive renal excretion,cephalexin is recommended particularly for the treatmentof urinary tract infections. It is also sometimes used forupper respiratory tract infections. Its spectrum of activity isvery similar to those of cephalothin and cephaloridine.Cephalexin is somewhat less potent than these two agentsafter parenteral administration and, therefore, is inferior tothem for the treatment of serious systemic infections.

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