Some work best with food, others without, and some require you to make changes to your diet all together. You take medication to help feel better, but it is important to follow the guidelines set forth by your doctor or pharmacist to make sure they work to the best of their ability. Keflex is an antibiotic that should be taken with food. However, don't take it at the same time you drink your grapefruit juice.
Keflex
Keflex is a cephalosporin antibiotic designed to help you fight bacterial infections. It is most often prescribed to treat respiratory illnesses, ear infections, skin infections and urinary tract infections. You should not take Keflex if you are allergic to other cephalosporin antibiotics. You should also tell your doctor if you are allergic to penicillin or have a history of liver or kidney disease before taking the antibiotic. People with stomach problems such as colitis, or those that are malnourished should also talk to their doctors about the medication before taking it.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit makes a healthy addition to your diet. It is low in calories, and high in vitamin C and fiber. However, you need to be careful about including it in your diet if you take certain medications. The juice of the grapefruit contains a substance that increases blood levels of certain medications. This substance in grapefruit juice binds with an intestinal enzyme called CYP3A4. This is the same enzyme that blocks the absorption of certain medications, which helps keep blood levels of the medications within an acceptable and safe range. Drinking grapefruit juice while taking certain medication can lead to dangerously high blood levels of the medication, causing serious consequences.
Grapefruit and Keflex
While antibiotics do not typically interact with grapefruit juice, a recent study may show that it does effect your blood level of Keflex. A 2007 study published in the "European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases" investigated the effects of grapefruit juice on blood levels of cephalexin, a generic form of Keflex, in a group of healthy, mature rats. The study found an increase in blood concentrations of cephalexin in the rats given grapefruit juice. Although research is preliminary, you should talk to your doctor about the safety of drinking grapefruit juice while taking Keflex.
Other Interactions
In addition to the grapefruit juice, you should also avoid drinking alcohol while taking Keflex. While alcohol may not interact directly with the medication, it can increase side effects. It is also recommended that you not take your medication with acidic foods, such as orange juice or carbonated beverages. Acidic foods may decrease your body's ability to absorb the Keflex.
References
- Drugs.com: Keflex
- The Harvard Medical School; Grapefruit and Medication: A Cautionary Note; February 2006
- DallasNews.com; Food Choices Can Affect Antibiotic's Effectiveness; January 2011
- "European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases"; Modification of Cephalexin Serum Concentration by Grapefruit Juice Co-administration in Rats; M. Cuciureanu, et al.; March 2007
- MayoClinic.com; Antibiotics and Alcohol; James M. Steckelberg; March 2010
Member Comments