Cephalexin therapy for infections in the elderly and other vulnerable patients

Abstract

A multicentre study was carried out in general practice to investigate the efficacy, safety and tolerance of cephalexin in the treatment of infections in 194 patients with an underlying chronic disease or other complications, and in patients over the age of 65 years. For comparison, a group of 145 patients with no such complicating conditions was included in the study. Altogether, 339 patients were treated with doses of 1 g or 2 g cephalexin daily depending on the type and severity of infection. After treatment for 5 days, over 80% of patients were cured or much improved, with no differences between the two groups. Of the 95 patients who received 10-days' treatment, the clinical outcome was considered satisfactory in approximately 80% in both groups. No clinically significant biochemical changes were recorded, no drug interactions with concurrent therapy were reported, and the incidence of side-effects was low.

Increased Therapeutic Failure for Cephalexin versus Comparator Antibiotics in the Treatment of Uncomplicated Outpatient Cellulitis

“…Few were performed in geriatric patients or populations with chronic illness. [14][15][16] A prospective case control analysis of cephalexin' s efficacy in 194 elderly patients with chronic illness reported overall efficacy of 80%, which was similar to that in a control group with no complicating conditions. 14 However, only 18 patients had skin and soft tissue infection, of whom 83% had a clinical cure at day 5 versus 96% of the control group (NS).…”