Can I take Cefalexin again after five hours?
Disease description:
I recently developed a sore throat and mild fever due to a cold, and my doctor prescribed cephalexin capsules, advising me to take them three times daily. However, due to work, I sometimes forget to take the medication on time. Today, I took the first dose at 10 AM but didn't remember the second dose until 3 PM. In this situation, is it okay to take cephalexin five hours after the previous dose?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Ren Yi
Cephalexin is an antibiotic primarily used to treat diseases caused by susceptible bacteria, such as acute tonsillitis, pharyngitis, otitis media, and bronchitis. The dosage interval is usually determined by the severity of the patient's condition and their individual metabolic rate. Generally, the recommended interval between doses of cephalexin should be no less than 6 hours to ensure the drug maintains an effective concentration in the body and achieves the desired therapeutic effect. However, if the condition is severe or the individual metabolizes the drug rapidly, the dosage interval may be appropriately shortened, although it typically should not be less than 4 hours.
If a dose of cephalexin is missed, it is generally not recommended to take a double dose to make up for it. Patients should consult a physician or pharmacist to understand the correct method of drug administration and avoid ineffective treatment or adverse reactions due to improper medication habits.
