Keflex (Cephalexin) does it hurt the liver? ?

Question

I have an infected ingrown toe, and the doctor prescribed me Keflex (500mg) and it says to take it 4 times a day for 10 days.

I am worried about its effects on the liver and the colon as well after reading this:

SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects of cephalexin are diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, skin rash, fever, abnormal liver tests and vaginitis. Individuals who are allergic to penicillin may also be allergic to cephalexin.

Cephalexin, like almost all antibiotics, may cause mild or severe cases of pseudomembranous colitis, a mild to severe inflammation of the colon. Antibiotics, including cephalexin alter the normal flora of the colon and permit overgrowth of a bacterium called Clostridium difficile. Studies indicate that a toxin produced by Clostridium difficile is a primary cause of pseudomembranous colitis.

Is 40 500MG pills of Keflex harmful long term? Is that the only way to get rid of the infection on my toe?

Looking to heat hopefully from pharmacist, i'm going to call my primary physician (these pills were prescribed in urgent care)

Thanks

Answer 1

Keflex is one of the safest of antibiotics. Besides treating simple infections like what may be going on in your toe Keflex is often used to prophylactically treat chronic staph skin infections, in which case the Keflex is taken for 3 months or more - usually with zero problems.  The real risk of developing clostridium difficile is when the person has been on several strong broad spectrum antibiotics one after another and the person's colon has never had time to recover and allow beneficial bacteria to repopulate. You can reduce your risks for this happening by eating real live yogurt every day that you are taking antibiotics and also by taking acidolphilous or another good probiotic daily. If you are taking the Keflex for only ten days your real risk is any potential infection in your toe rather than worrying too much about developing CD.