Bactrim vs. Keflex

• Are Bactrim and Keflex the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Bactrim?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Keflex?
• What is Bactrim?
• What is Keflex?
• What Drugs Interact with Bactrim?
• What Drugs Interact with Keflex?
• How Should Bactrim Be Taken?
• How Should Keflex Be Taken?

Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) and Keflex (cephalexin) are antibiotics prescribed to treat bacterial infections.

Keflex treats many types of infections, especially skin and soft tissue infections and is also used before dental procedures in patients identified with certain heart-related conditions to prevent bacterial infections of the heart known as endocarditis.

Bactrim and Keflex are different types of antibiotics. Bactrim is a combination of sulfonamide (a "sulfa" drug) and a folic acid inhibitor and Keflex is a cephalosporin antibiotic.

Common side effects of Bactrim include:

• loss of appetite,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• painful or swollen tongue,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• ringing in your ears,
• tiredness, or
• sleep problems (insomnia).

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Bactrim including:

• bruising or bleeding,
• aplastic anemia,
• jaundice,
• hepatic necrosis,
• mouth sores,
• joint aches,
• severe skin rashes,
• itching, and
• sore throat.

Common side effects of Keflex include:

• diarrhea,
• dizziness,
• tiredness,
• headache,
• stomach upset,
• abdominal pain,
• joint pain,
• vaginal itching or discharge,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• itching,
• swelling, and
• rash.

Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) DS is a combination of two antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infections, acute otitis media, bronchitis, Shigellosis, Pneumocystis pneumonia, traveler's diarrhea, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and other bacterial infections susceptible to this antibiotic. Bactrim is available as a generic drug.

Keflex (cephalexin) is a cephalosporin antibiotic prescribed to treat bacterial infections. Keflex is also used before dental procedures in patients identified with certain heart-related conditions to prevent bacterial infections of the heart known as endocarditis. Keflex is available as a generic drug.

Bactrim may interact with blood thinners, cyclosporine, methotrexate, oral diabetes medications, and seizure medications.

Bactrim may also interact with antidepressants, digoxin, diuretics (water pills), indomethacin, leucovorin, calcium folinate, and heart or blood pressure medications.

Keflex and amoxicillin may interact with probenecid and blood thinners.

Keflex may also interact with metformin.

Administer the solution by intravenous infusion over a period of 60 to 90 minutes. Avoid administration by rapid infusion or bolus injection. Do NOT administer Bactrim intramuscularly.

Keflex dosage depends on the condition being treated. Keflex should be used with caution in patients who have kidney disease and those who report a history of penicillin allergy.