Ibilex (Cefalexin Monohydrate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Quick Facts
What Is Ibilex Used For?
Ibilex contains cefalexin monohydrate, an antibiotic that belongs to a group of medicines called cephalosporins. These medicines work by killing the bacteria that are causing your infection.
Primary Uses
Ibilex is used to treat bacterial infections in different parts of the body, including: respiratory tract infections (throat, tonsils, chest and lungs), nose infections (sinusitis), ear infections (otitis media), skin and soft tissue infections, and kidney and bladder infections (urinary tract).
How It Works
Ibilex works by killing the bacteria that are causing your infection. It will not work against infections caused by viruses, such as colds or flu.
Good to know: There is no evidence that Ibilex is addictive.
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How to Take Ibilex
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist. Your doctor will tell you how much and how often you should take Ibilex based on the type of infection you have.
Dosage Instructions
For adults: Your doctor will determine the appropriate dose based on your infection type. For children: The dose depends on the child’s age, weight and type of infection. Take Ibilex at about the same time each day, spaced evenly apart. Capsules should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. For suspension, shake the bottle well then accurately measure the correct dose using a metric measure. Ibilex can be taken with or without food.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. Keep taking Ibilex until you finish the pack or bottle, even if you feel better, unless advised by your doctor.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- sore or white mouth or tongue (oral thrush)
- sore and itchy vagina and/or discharge (another form of thrush)
- diarrhea
- nausea
- vomiting
- dizziness
- unusual tiredness/weakness
- abdominal pain
- headache
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- fever
- swelling of the joints
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- joint pain
- confusion and hallucinations
- seizure
- bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
- encephalopathy (reduced ability to think clearly, memory loss, drowsiness, seizures, muscle twitches, personality change)
- myoclonus (sudden, brief involuntary muscle twitching or jerking)
- red rash on both sides of buttocks, upper inner thighs, armpits, neck
- allergic reaction symptoms (rash, itching, hives, swelling of face/lips/tongue, shortness of breath, wheezing)
- severe stomach cramps or pain
- severe, watery or bloody diarrhea
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations before taking Ibilex. Make sure to discuss your medical history and current medications with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Ibilex
Do not take Ibilex if you are allergic to cefalexin monohydrate, penicillin, other cephalosporins, or any of the ingredients. You may have an increased chance of being allergic to Ibilex if you are allergic to penicillins. Do not take if the expiry date has passed or if the package shows signs of tampering.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor if you have liver problems, kidney problems, or bowel problems. Your doctor may want to take special care if you have any of these conditions. Also inform your doctor if you are allergic to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking Ibilex. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Ibilex.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Ibilex and affect how it works. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including vitamins or supplements.
Birth Control: Talk to your doctor about the need for additional contraception while taking Ibilex. Some antibiotics may decrease the effectiveness of some birth control pills, although this has not been shown with Ibilex.
- probenecid (a medicine commonly used to treat gout)
- metformin (a medicine used to treat diabetes)
Alcohol & Driving
Ibilex may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Be careful until you know how this medication affects you.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol interactions are mentioned in the prescribing information.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Ibilex generally does not cause problems with your ability to drive or operate machinery. However, Ibilex may rarely cause dizziness, tiredness or fatigue in some people. If this occurs, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that may be dangerous. Children should be careful when riding bicycles or climbing trees.
Storage
Keep Ibilex where children cannot reach it. For capsules: store below 30°C in a cool dry place. Keep capsules in the pack until it is time to take them. For suspension: store between 2-8°C in the refrigerator but not in the freezer. Keep the bottle tightly closed, shake well before use and discard after 14 days. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills as heat and dampness can destroy the medicine.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Ibilex, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia telephone 13 11 26) for advice, contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. Overdose symptoms may include feeling sick in the stomach, diarrhea, blood in the urine, unusually increased reflexes, convulsions or hallucinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, tell your doctor. The exact time for improvement varies depending on the type and severity of infection.
Yes, Ibilex can be taken with or without food. Take it at about the same time each day, spaced evenly apart for best effect.
No, there is no evidence that Ibilex is addictive.
Do not stop taking Ibilex or lower the dose because you are feeling better, unless advised by your doctor. If you do not complete the full course prescribed, your infection may not clear completely or your symptoms may return.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Yes, if you get a sore, white mouth or tongue, or vaginal itching or discharge while taking Ibilex, tell your doctor. This may mean you have a fungal infection called thrush, which can occur when antibiotics allow fungi to grow.
If you get severe diarrhea, tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately, even if it occurs several weeks after stopping Ibilex. Do not take any diarrhea medicine without checking with your doctor first, as you may have a serious condition affecting your bowel requiring urgent medical attention.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.