Keflex Dosage/Direction for Use

Cephalexin is administered orally.
Adults: The adult dosage ranges from 1-4 g daily in divided doses. Usual Dose: 250 mg every 6 hrs. For the following infections, a dosage of 500 mg may be administered every 12 hrs; streptococcal pharyngitis, skin and skin-structure infections, and uncomplicated cystitis in the patients >15 years. Cystitis therapy should be continued for 7-14 days. For more severe infections or those caused by less susceptible organisms, larger doses may be needed. If daily doses of cephalexin >4 g are required, parenteral cephalosporins, in appropriate doses, should be considered.
Children: Usual Recommended Daily Dosage: 25-50 mg/kg in equally divided doses. For streptococcal pharyngitis in patients >1 yr, mild, uncomplicated urinary tract infections, and for skin and skin-structure infections, the total daily dose may be divided and administered every 12 hrs (see table).

Click on icon to see table/diagram/image

In severe infections, the dosage may be doubled.
In the therapy of otitis media, clinical studies have shown that a dosage of 75-100 mg/kg/day in 4 divided doses is required.
In the treatment of β-haemolytic streptococcal infections, a therapeutic dosage of cephalexin should be administered for at least 10 days.