Cephalexin and Dizziness: What Users Say

• Her...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2019

Keflex (cephalexin) for Bladder Infection "I started with a bladder infection on Sunday. I was urinating every 10-15 minutes, and it was so painful and I felt a lot of pressure. I called the doctor, and I was put on Bactrim on Monday night. The Bactrim gave me the spins, constipation, and anxiety. It was a nightmare! After 5 doses of Bactrim, my infection kept getting worse. I called the doctor, and they switched me to Keflex. I started the Keflex at 9 pm, and in less than 24 hours, I felt much better. No side effects except a little bit of nausea and dizziness, so remember to eat when you take it. It is a miracle drug for urinary infections and bladder infections."

• rin...
• February 17, 2009

Keflex (cephalexin) for Bladder Infection "I usually never have side effects from antibiotics, but I had moderate dizziness and nausea. The nausea is not bad enough to send me to bed all day, but it does interfere with my daily schedule and leaves me extremely worn out and fatigued. It is frustrating. I have to take it four times a day for ten days."

• dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2016

Keflex (cephalexin) for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Had an ingrown toenail infection. Was given 500mg Keflex taken 4 times a day for 7 days. It is working and I have no pain in my toe. However, so far I've had diarrhea, stomach pain, tiredness and weakness, dizzy spells, yellow skin, loss of appetite, nausea, red scratchy eyes. So most of the usual stuff. The long and short of it is my toe will be healed as long as I can deal with the side effects for a few more days."

• The...
• September 8, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "Basically, I got strep throat, and the first several days on cephalexin were fine, except for a bit of a stomach ache. Then, soon after, my body temperature dropped to 94.3, and I got extreme vertigo. Kept having worrying, empty life feelings. Cephalexin works a little too well, not only gets rid of the bacteria, but almost getting rid of the human in the process."

• Gia...
• June 11, 2020

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Took cephalexin 4 times a day, 500 mg a dose, for about two weeks for a dermal cyst. Its effect was not immediate, but by the third day, I started to see real improvement. Within ten days, it had almost completely vanished. BUT OH, DID I FEEL TERRIBLE... I had heard that 'drowsiness' was a 'rare' side effect of this drug, at least according to the drug company, who during their trials must have enrolled some other species that just looked human to study, because almost EVERYONE who takes this feels like a truck almost ran over them. They have experienced real sedation, dizziness, brain fog, irritability, a blocking of the effects of antidepressants, weakness, etc. I had most of these, and for several days AFTER taking it, I still felt out of sorts.... I will never take this drug again, as I feel like I lost two weeks of my life because of a minor problem that could have been treated with something just as effective but not as horrible."

• Anonymous
• July 9, 2013

For Bladder Infection "I am very sensitive to antibiotics. Bactrim makes me nauseous, gives me a rapid heartbeat, and makes me feel like I have a fever. Cephalexin, on the other hand, doesn't make me feel sick at all. The only thing it really does is make me exhausted for the first 1-3 hours after taking the dose and makes me feel high during that time. Not sure if that is a good or bad thing. However, if I stand up during this 1-3 hour time frame, I do get a little dizzy and slightly nauseous, but it's nothing. Overall, good medicine."

• Ama...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2018

Keflex (cephalexin) for Bladder Infection "I have constant battles with UTIs, so I’ve taken a lot of different antibiotics. Keflex is definitely a good one, but for me, I have to take 500 mg three times a day, so I get some side effects, mostly tired, stomach cramps, and dizzy. It’s not bad, though, like some of the other ones I’ve taken. Before I had repeat infections, I had the 500 mg twice a day dose and had very minor cramping from that dose. It’s my go-to when I can take it. Drink lots of water with it too, it helps flush your system faster and get rid of the infection and its side effects quicker."

• Pai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2013

For Kidney Infections "Taking two 500mg twice a day for a kidney infection. 28-year-old female. I normally get extremely nauseated and dizzy on antibiotics. I do not with these. No side effects as of yet (day 3). I feel an improvement in my kidneys but not as much as I had hoped at this point. I'm just happy I am not nauseated on these. I am eating Greek yogurt daily to avoid a nasty yeast infection from taking antibiotics. I do have to warn you, every time I open the pill bottle I get a strong bad smell. It's worth it to get some kind of relief from my angry kidneys!"

• Drs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2015

For Bladder Infection "I am 15 weeks pregnant and got my first bladder infection of the pregnancy, and hopefully the last, as I'm sure I know what caused it. My OB prescribed cephalexin 500 mg twice a day for 7 days. I took my first dose last night. I took it on a somewhat empty stomach, but because I was going to sleep, I didn't think too much of it. I woke up feeling a little dizzy and nauseated, but already NO pain with urination! I'll just make sure to take it with food from now on. Overall, this is a great antibiotic for me, someone who is pretty sensitive to medications."

• Cle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2019

For Bladder Infection "Got a UTI. Dr. gave me Macrobid at first, and I was so dizzy and nauseous that I couldn't work. After he called in cephalexin, I immediately felt better. In fact, the first two days I felt great. The next five days I was tired, but that has been the only side effect. This is my last day of it. I do think I got a yeast infection, despite taking some probiotics, though I forgot on two days. I used Monistat last night, just in case. I usually have such horrid symptoms with any antibiotics that I'm glad this one didn't give me bad side effects. I'll definitely request it again if needed. In the meanwhile, I'll go back to D-Mannose, which does an amazing job at preventing UTIs."

• Bea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I started this cephalexin antibiotic to prevent infection after having a tummy tuck. After three days, I developed dizziness/vertigo, slight confusion, and being tired. It felt almost like I slept too much all the time, kind of foggy. At first, I brushed it up to the major surgery I just had, but after a while, I started to panic. I called the surgeon’s office, and they recommended that I come off of the pain meds I had been given. It’s been days without pain meds, but I’m still feeling really out of it and dizzy. I found that this could be a symptom of this antibiotic. I took my last one today, so I will be back to update everyone on whether it goes away or not. I really hope it does."

• Liv...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2016

For Kidney Infections "Have been using cephalexin for 2 days now due to a UTI which started on a Monday, then got worse and spread to a kidney infection by Tuesday, then had all the symptoms by Tuesday night and started taking cephalexin Wednesday afternoon, started working the next day, although I get random severe headaches, feel dizzy when standing, feel nauseous in the morning and with no appetite, but that will go once I've finished these antibiotics. I'd much rather be feeling like this than how I felt with no treatment on the kidney infection :)"

• 60i...
• March 26, 2016

Keflex (cephalexin) for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "With only 4 doses of 500 mg in 3 days instead of 3 a day, my symptoms got progressively worse. Blurred vision, dizziness, rash, leg pain and swelling, heat sensations in legs, muscle pain, back pain, swelling and pain in the stomach, and extreme fatigue. Stopped taking and reported adverse reaction to the pharmacy and will tell the doctor. Very glad I did not take the full dose. Use with caution if you are sensitive to meds."

• 42y...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 9, 2017

For Bladder Infection "The first day I took it, my skin felt flushed, and I had a bad headache and dizziness (almost chickened out then). But these effects improved as I continued to take the medicine. I was prescribed 500 mg three times a day for 5 days for trace leukocytes in my urine. I've never taken cephalexin before, and I'm very sensitive to medications (slow metabolizer) and already cannot take several antibiotics due to allergies (cipro, nitrofurantoin, and sulfa). So I'm thankful that I seem to be okay with the cephalexin (I'm running out of antibiotics that I can take!). I haven't noticed any other side effects, not even diarrhea. As for my symptoms, some have improved, but not all. I only have 2 pills left, but not all of my symptoms went away yet. I hope it works."

• Lad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2012

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Had a bad reaction all the way. Within 15 minutes of taking, experienced shortness of breath, dizziness, diarrhea, throwing up, shakiness, full-blown rash/hives, cold/chills, confusion, slurred speech, rapid heart rate, ringing in the ears, extreme tiredness."

• EPa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2019

For Bladder Infection "I’ll keep my story short... it hurt to pee... the doc said no UTI but gave me this just in case... Symptoms: 1) fever around 100-103 for two days. 2) joint pains all over, and I’m a runner, so they amplified everything. 3) didn’t poop properly. 4) dizziness and headaches. 5) stomach pain. What I find weird is all of that started after I took pill #3. I even went out for a 5-mile run! I felt completely fine, and then it hit me like a ton of bricks. I stopped taking the meds after pill 5 - it’s been 24 hours - and my temp is ~98, and my joint pains are mostly gone. My stomach is starting to hurt now, and pooping just sucks - so painful. I feel like my body went into rejection mode for this. This drug is way too damn strong. Please be careful."

• iha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2016

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I was prescribed 500 mg 4 times a day for 10 days to treat my folliculitis after shaving with a bad razor. The first day, I felt okay, but I'm on day 4, and I already feel like crap. I feel dizzy, extremely fatigued to the point where I feel like a lifeless potato, nausea, lightheadedness, and some mild abdominal pain here and there. I pretty much don't feel like doing anything. The folliculitis seems to be slowly improving, though it flares up again when I wake up, so I'm not entirely sure if this antibiotic is working. Might discontinue it if side effects get worse and try to get a different antibiotic."

• Anonymous
• January 25, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "Okay, so I recently had the ovarian removal of my left ovary at the beginning of the month. Fast forward about three weeks, and I see that my belly button, which was one of the areas they went in through, had a pool of pus in it (even though I had no fever, nor did I really have any redness or swelling). But I thought it would be better to be safe than sorry, so I went to the ER. The doctor barely looked it over, acted like he didn't even want to be there, and then sent his nurse in to prescribe me this garbage antibiotic, cephalexin. I am going on day four, and I'm done. There's no way I can continue this medication for 7 days. It in a short amount of time has already made me incredibly dizzy and fatigued, but has given me horrible stomach aches that come and go, diarrhea, and a feeling like I'm about to faint. It looks like the infection is gone, and if it's not, then I will go to my primary care doctor and have them prescribe me something else."

• 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."

• sho...
• August 22, 2017

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "The last time I've taken Keflex was 4 years ago. I've always taken it with no problems. I just got an infected ingrown toenail, and I've had it for 2 months. The doctor gave me Keflex, which I take 2 times a day. I'm on my 3rd day, and I've noticed some things I've never had before. I feel a bit dizzy, I'm hot, my heart is racing more than normal, and I'm going to the toilet more often. I think they might've changed the drug or ingredients. I wish they would just leave things alone and stop short-cutting things."

• Bro...
• March 6, 2018

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I went on cephalexin for the beginning of a staph infection caused by an ingrown hair on my bikini line. I'm currently on day 5 of my 7-day treatment, and my infection is fully healed. Pleasant experience overall; no side effects besides headaches the first 2 days, but minor; pain relievers not needed. However, I didn't consume alcohol or caffeine for the entirety of the treatment as I was advised that cephalexin enhances side effects caused by alcohol and coffee, such as drowsiness, dizziness, upset stomach, etc. I had a chai drink containing a very little amount of caffeine; I got dizzy and very anxious within the hour of drinking it. It never happened to me before despite countless times having the drink, so I related it to the drug, further exemplifying how much the medication enhances both physiological and neurological effects of substances such as caffeine. I recommend this medication, but use with caution: no caffeine or alcohol."

• Anonymous
• May 2, 2016

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I had a fungal toenail infection, went to the doctor, prescribed Cephalexin 500 mg cap 2 twice daily. As I have IBS, took it with food to not upset my stomach, 1st 2, no effect, but when I took the next two, thought I was going to die. I woke up at 2 am with severe stomach pain, nausea, dizziness. I was draped over the bathroom counter, thought I was going to pass out. Within 10 mins, my hair was soaking wet and had perspiration running down my face and having diarrhea at the same time. I live alone, 73, was considering calling 911. The next 2 mornings, I saw that my gums had been bleeding, not red but dark purplish-black. As I have dentures, it was inside and between my teeth. Found it can cause gum bleeding. Talked to the pharmacy, said to stop it. Never again."

• Mit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed Cephalexin for infection after my hysterectomy. I started taking it on a Thursday. By Saturday night/Sunday morning, I had a frightening case of vertigo. Like nothing I had ever experienced. Never taking this antibiotic ever again."

• Fee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "I saw a doctor, and he gave me this: take 4 daily for a week! I'm on day 6, and I feel so lost and can't even think straight. It had diarrhea and I feel so tired where I can't even stay up without wanting to just close my eyes, and also dizzy and headaches. I think I got a high dose for something kind of little. I have this small blister from breastfeeding, and the doctor must have thought it was something else, but so far it kind of helped heal it. But the side effects are so bad. I'm going back to the doctor because I can't take these meds anymore. I hate this feeling."

• Ren...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2018

For Bladder Infection "So far, I am currently taking 500 mg 2 x a day. I was in the hospital yesterday for a severe kidney infection and UTI. I had been on Cipro 2 x a day for 11 days and found out I am now not able to take it anymore, as it hadn't touched my infection. I was given a shot of Rocephin yesterday and started these today. So far, I feel kind of weird and dizzy, indigestion started 15 min after, but I can already tell I’m not hurting as bad when I pee! I’m going to do my best to finish this and hope it works, as I am not able to take any other antibiotics :("