A first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic that disrupts bacterial cell wall synthesis, commonly used to treat skin and soft tissue infections, urinary tract infections, and respiratory infections. It's well-tolerated and available in oral form for outpatient treatment.
From 'cephal-' (Greek for 'head', referring to the cephalosporium fungus from which cephalosporins were first isolated) + '-exin', a suffix used in antibiotic nomenclature. Developed in the 1960s as part of the beta-lactam antibiotic family.
Cephalexin comes from the same fungus family that gave us penicillin, but it's often prescribed for patients who are allergic to penicillin because its structure is different enough to usually avoid cross-reactions! It's particularly beloved by pediatricians because it comes in a bubble-gum flavored liquid that kids actually want to take.
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