Cephalexin and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "Just took the final dose. I am praying I will feel like myself again. I slept the first 4 days (15 hours at a time). Day 5: Mild to moderate to paralyzing anxiety and depression (I am on anti-anxiety medication, I take an antidepressant daily). By day 7, intense headache that didn’t respond to Acetaminophen. I am crying as I feel confused and have insomnia. I hope the person that simply posted insults here gets the help they need. Prayers for a person who enjoys being rude for a hobby. NO ONE has the right to shame all who post here. ONLY a very sad soul bullies those (including me) that post voluntarily and in a clear, concise manner here. Taking time and effort to post side effects and symptoms of an antibiotic can be a valuable tool for those who may not realize why they are feeling bad. We live in an era that knows “it’s in your head” is fodder for an ignorant person."

• Fat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2020

Cephalexin for Bladder Infection "So I ended a Saturday at the ER. I ended up having a urinary infection, a severe one. The PA prescribed Keflex 500 mg for 7 days - it really helped after 2 days, but I noticed that it does bring out side effects on myself. I feel nauseous, tired, agitated, eyes feel hot, headaches. Even though I took 2 Advil, it was still there. I also feel super anxious, I've been having mood swings, I feel more sad, and somehow more depressed than I have been in the past. And I still have one more day to go."

• Con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I get impetigo in/on my nose practically every year for the past few years, which is odd because I am not a child, nor do I come into contact with any. I’ve taken cephalexin four or five times for this infection and never had any evident symptoms. I thought it worked great, actually. However, this past time, I suddenly got terrible anxiety that ruined my life for about a week. Shaking, racing thoughts, the whole deal. The worst I’ve ever had-I couldn’t even watch TV alone at home without having to fight it off. Something inside of me told me to look up reviews for the medication, and I actually teared up reading that other people experienced similar things and this wasn’t just my life now. I stopped taking the medication early and feel almost back to normal already. I hope this helps someone!"

• Pie...
• June 5, 2021

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Prescribed in the ER after a superficial burn infected (4 cm). My dose is 500 mg x 4 times a day for 5 days, and I am on the second day. I called the hospital to ask about severe side effects. Been on antibiotics many times, but with this drug, the side effects are a lot heavier: - Extreme tiredness and weakness that I can’t even open my eyes - sleeping 10-12 hours (getting a pill every 6 hours), waking up with severe fatigue and body aches - my anxiety is off the roof - I have an ongoing heaviness feeling and breathing spasms in my chest - my stomach is so weird (not burn, not pain) like someone punching me, and I have pressure on my belly, feeling like I had a big meal, but I haven’t had anything other than 1-2 small meals in 3 days. - mild sore throat and minor cough - and my infection is not healing fast. At this stage, I am fighting with antibiotics more than the infection! + I am on probiotics and having yogurt. I hope this helps, other comments helped me to understand what’s going on with my body."

• Lyn...
• June 8, 2019

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Cephalexin got rid of the infection, but I had horrible side effects. I took it for 4 days, at a dose of 500 mg, 4 times a day. I had horrible headaches, diarrhea, major depression, dry and bloodshot eyes, nausea, was very tired, and didn't have motivation to do anything. Anxiety, joints were on fire! Stopped a day ago and still feel awful! Won't take it again because of side effects."

• Bre...
• November 20, 2014

For Kidney Infections "I am on day 2 of Keflex for a kidney infection from an untreated urinary tract infection. I am allergic to most antibiotics, such as amoxicillin and erythromycin, so I was hesitant to try this. I am so happy to say I have no allergic reaction and no diarrhea! I do feel some tingling sensations in my head and a tiny bit of anxiety (probably all in my head), but nothing compared to an antibiotic like Levaquin. I think I found my new go-to antibiotic!"

• Jus...
• May 7, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "I was going through severe anxiety, heart palpitations, tachycardia, body numbness, going in and out of another world. I had new allergies, twitching when I would almost fall asleep, 21 ER visits later, I found the answer. The antibiotic I was on for a tooth infection caused severe ulcers throughout my GI tract, it can cause all of that. I almost had a couple of heart attacks before I realized this. Here is what my treatment consists of: beta blockers to control the heart palpitations (you need them or it will get bad), Ativan to control the anxiety (this too will get worse), steroids to fix your mental state, reduce intestinal swelling, and get your immune system back on track so your allergies stop (this too will get worse), and a PPI pill to stop the stomach acid so they can heal. Also, I'm waiting for a scope treatment from a gastro doctor. I'm hoping I can make it until then, but for anybody else experiencing what I did, please get it addressed ASAP, I was told by every doctor it was anxiety and even banned from an ER."

• Tay...
• December 30, 2015

For Kidney Infections "I got put on cephalexin for an untreated UTI, which obviously spread to my kidneys. I am currently on day 3, and I do feel so much better kidney pain and urinating wise. But it gives me insane diarrhea, makes me feel very nauseous, makes me confused with really bad anxiety, and gives me killer heartburn. I am currently on 500 mg, 4 times a day."

• Bla...
• March 5, 2021

Cephalexin for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I had a tooth that broke off while eating pretzels. Well, as time goes by, no real problems with it, however, it made the tooth next to it get loose and agitated. It becomes an infection. I get put on Keflex 500 mg three times a day for seven days for the infection. I have taken this medication before. After two days, the infection starts to go away, and my mouth feels better. I’m not in pain anymore, however, the night terrors, hallucinations, and anxiety. The night terrors are morbid, they are something out of the 'Saw' movies! If you have any mental disorders or any small underlying ones, I recommend you do not take this medication, because it will make you crazy!"

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "I'm currently on my 5th day of cephalexin 500 mg 4X a day. I have an abscess from shaving with a dull razor and not using shaving gel, that's what I'm thinking anyway. Anyway, this antibiotic is really messing me up. I'm anxious, paranoid around people, super irritable, I feel scared in general. My stomach is distended and I'm constipated and retaining water. I want to stop, but I'm scared to. I'm going to call my doctor. Thanks everyone for posting about your experience. Helping me a lot."

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "I'm currently on my 5th day of cephalexin 500 mg 4X a day. I have an abscess from shaving with a dull razor and not using shaving gel, that's what I'm thinking anyway. Anyway, this antibiotic is really messing me up. I'm anxious, paranoid around people, super irritable, I feel scared in general. My stomach is distended and I'm constipated and retaining water. I want to stop, but I'm scared to. I'm going to call my doctor. Thanks everyone for posting about your experience. Helping me a lot."

• Kja...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2019

For Kidney Infections "Taken two rounds of antibiotic cephalexin for a UTI. Whilst it does appear to be helping the infection, I’m depressed, jittery, severely anxious, joint and muscle aches, dehydrated, and sunken eyes!!! Nightmares and adrenaline. It is so awful. I cannot wait to finish this drug."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2020

For Kidney Infections "I took cephalexin to treat a UTI. I started to get really bad anxiety out of nowhere. It started on the second day (I took this antibiotic over seven days) and the panic attacks stopped after about three weeks since I took them for the first time. I even got them at night. Besides that, I started to shake in my upper body after a couple of hours of taking a pill."

• Aly...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2018

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Ended up with an infected wound after foot surgery. Was leaking pus and blood from the incision site. Was put on 500 mg 2x a day for 10 days. After the 3rd day, I noticed no more pus, just blood draining. The pain decreased as well. No bad reaction as I usually get very nauseous from other antibiotics, but not Keflex. I made sure to take the dose on time every day and had a small meal 10 minutes before each dose. 2 hours after each dose, I took a double dose of probiotics and was also taking Saccharomyces boulardii (another probiotic, but it is a yeast and is not killed by antibiotics since it is not a bacteria). Did NOT experience any stomach pains, diarrhea, anxiety, lightheadedness like others. Also stopped drinking coffee and consuming sugar while on these antibiotics, bacteria thrive on sugar in the gut, and the coffee makes your body acidic."

• Lex...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 7, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "I got prescribed cephalexin 500 mg 4x daily for a minor bacterial infection. At first, I was fine, was just a little drowsy. However, as the days passed, I started becoming INSANELY paranoid, delusional, and depressed. I actually hallucinated as well as cried every single day several times a day. This drug, cephalexin, is absolutely horrible, and I will never be taking it again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 13, 2021

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I had a 500 mg dose every 6 hours. I got something called a brain zap! It was terrifying. Days 4-10, every time I tried to fall asleep, it felt like an electric current ran through my head and startled me awake. I’ve never felt that in my life. It got so bad I stayed up for 2 days straight. I woke up panicking every time. It was terrible. I usually have anxiety once or twice a week, but this medication amplified my anxiety x10. I got at least 3 anxiety attacks a day, like 30 minutes or more at a time. Other than that, I had trouble breathing and slight body aches, but the worst of it was the brain zaps and anxiety. My infection was completely gone in 2 days and I was almost pain-free. Effective in that way, absolutely, but was not worth the side effects at all. If you have the option to take a different antibiotic, I would recommend you do that!"

• jes...
• November 23, 2020

Cephalexin for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I went to the ER, they said I had a UTI, so they gave me Keflex 500 mg 4 times a day for a week. I despise ANY medication because of the side effects, but I didn’t want a kidney infection as that’s way worse, so I took it. I had nausea and some mild diarrhea about an hour in, normal, right? So, a few days in, I felt like I was hit by a truck. I woke up fatigued, my anxiety was so bad, and I developed an achy back that lasted a week even after I was done taking it! I still have some mild diarrhea every day, and it’s been a week since I’ve finished the medicine. I have no clue how I pulled through and took all of it. It did indeed clear up my infection, but I still feel sick. I know it’s a turn-off reading this, and it makes you not want to take the medicine, but you HAVE TO unless you want a kidney infection, which is way worse, and you’ll be put on even more antibiotics if that happens. Just pull on through, but if you genuinely don’t feel good when taking it, talk to your doctor."

• Inf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2017

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I had a blister get infected on a cruise ship. The onboard doctor put me on cephalexin 4x daily at 500 mg for 5 days. I've had insomnia from the get-go. While awake, I had dizzy spells often and bursts of anxiety. On night 3, I developed chills and anxiety that woke me right up. I then vomited and had diarrhea all night long. I'm currently awake on night 3 typing this. Chills have stopped, but I'm holding nothing down."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2016

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "My 17-year-old son is allergic to sulfa-based antibiotics (he gets hives everywhere), but he keeps getting staph infections (like boils), so this time he was given Cephalexin. He got through his whole 10 days of taking it twice daily, just finished last Thursday. The negative side effects kicked in Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Stomach pain, chills, fever, tightness in chest, frequent urination, restlessness, anxiousness, and sleeplessness. He's really freaked out about it. The inability to sleep is what's actually most upsetting because it makes you feel more anxious and crazy after a few days. The crappy thing is - he just has to wait and wait until it clears out of his system. Poor kid. This sucks."

• alw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2018

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Prescribed cephalexin for a fingernail infection because I asked for an 'easy on the stomach' antibiotic. 4 times a day for 7 days, what a nuisance. The first few doses I took definitely made me nauseous, but now I am taking it with food and lots of water, and I notice less nausea. I also feel my anxiety is worsened a bit, and I keep getting hot flashes... not normal for me! Wonder if it's another side effect. But nonetheless, my infection started healing within 24 hours, and it's doing its job."

• Nev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 12, 2018

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I was prescribed Cephalexin 500 mg 3X a day for 10 days. From the first day, I had stomach pain, diarrhea, headache, anxiety, confusion, and heart palpitations. At first, I thought all of these issues were from being sick and lack of sleep. By day two, I knew it was this medicine. I went down to two doses a day, but by day 5, I had to stop taking it. Worst drug ever! The smell of the drug is a cross between a rotting dead animal and rotten eggs, never again will I touch this drug. Usually, I read drug info before starting a drug, but I was so sick I failed to do this first. Going forward, I will not make this mistake. I experienced too many side effects from this drug."

• Gin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2018

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I was prescribed Cephalexin by a doctor at a hospital I visited when my arm swelled up and the rash I had got very severe. I had been exposed to poison sumac three weeks prior and it just went nuts in that third week. When the swelling entered my hand, I knew I was in trouble. I was prescribed prednisone, which got rid of the swelling splendidly, and Cephalexin to deal with the infection. The Cephalexin dosage was 4 per day for 7 days. It made me overly anxious, I had trouble sleeping, my stomach was a little upset, and I ended up with vaginal discharge (really yucky), but it was so important to get rid of that infection, I took the entire prescription. My arm is in much better shape, though not 100% yet. I am satisfied with the positive results."

• Kea...
• April 14, 2019

For Kidney Infections "Was put on cephalexin for a UTI, 500 mg twice a day for 7 days. Have just finished it after a horrendous experience. Very bad indigestion, anxiety, diarrhea first day, then constipated. Fatigue and headache. Shakes with hot and cold periods. After a day of finishing, the diarrhea has returned. Will never take this medication again."

• Lov...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2021

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I was prescribed this drug, 500 mg, for 7 days after rhinoplasty to prevent infection. If taken without food, I get nauseous and vomit, it also leaves a metallic taste in your mouth all day. I was also prescribed opioids, and that didn’t even cure the headaches from this drug. I am an emotional mess, crying all the time for no reason, insomnia and super fatigued, vivid nightmares, also, day 4, I got a horrible yeast infection. This is my last day, and I truly hope that I go back to normal. The depression and anxiety is the worst. Since it was not taken for a condition but for preventative purposes after surgery, I'm not sure if it worked, but the side effects are horrendous! Hope I never have to take this ever again!"

• May...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2022

For Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed a week's worth of cephalexin, four 500 mg capsules a day for a possible UTI. For the first 2-3 days of taking this medication, I felt like a bloated, dizzy, tired zombie and didn't feel an improvement. For one of those days, I got horrible constipation and indigestion. I couldn't pass gas. It scared me and made me anxious. I began to question whether this medication would actually work for me. I also recommend taking a probiotic with this medication since it does go hard on your digestive system in my experience. Thankfully, by the middle of the 3rd day, I finally felt some relief and started to feel a bit better. I had less pain. Unfortunately, though, the next couple of days were a rollercoaster with the persistent stomach pain and constipation. After treatment, urine tests came back free of infection. I still have some stomach pain, dizziness, fatigue, and some constipation, though hopefully it goes away soon. I will keep treating and healing my stomach with probiotics. Maybe I would try another medication next time."