What Foods Not To Eat While Taking Keflex

When picking up a new prescription at your pharmacy, it is always important to talk to your pharmacist about potential food and drug interactions. Eating certain types of foods with various medications can increase or decrease their effectiveness. Keflex, however, does not have any interactions with any foods, and it is therefore not necessary for you to eliminate any foods while taking the medication.

Keflex

Keflex is a cephalosporin antibiotic that helps fight bacteria in your body. It is used to treat respiratory, ear, skin and urinary tract bacterial infections. Like any antibiotic, you should take the medication as prescribed by your doctor, completing the full cycle. You should not increase or decrease your daily dose of Keflex, or stop taking the medication when you start feeling better. To improve tolerance and absorption, take your Keflex with a full glass of water.

Concerns

If you are allergic to penicillin or cephalosporin, you should talk to your doctor about these allergies before taking Keflex. In addition, you should also discuss your other medical conditions with your doctor, including diabetes, kidney disease or liver disease, before taking Keflex. Keflex is a category B medication, and should be safe to take if you are pregnant. However, Keflex can pass to your baby through breast milk, and is not recommended if you are nursing, unless otherwise directed. Keflex can cause diarrhea, but it usually stops after you've completed your dose.

Antibiotics and Food

According to the websites PDR Health and Drugs.com, you do not have to avoid any specific foods while taking Keflex. However, you should avoid alcohol when taking any antibiotic. While it may not decrease the effectiveness of your medication, alcohol can exacerbate its side effects, increasing your diarrhea and making you feel more drowsy. Drinking alcohol can also slow your recovery. In addition, you should not eat or drink acidic foods at the same time you take your medication because it can interfere with absorption. Acidic foods include orange juice, vinegar and tomato-based products.

Considerations

As an antibiotic, Keflex kills both the bad and good bacteria in your body. It is important to replace the good bacteria. Certain foods are a good source of these friendly bacteria, also known as probiotics, and include yogurt, miso soup, some juices and fermented milk. Eating these foods while taking your Keflex may also help reduce your diarrhea.