Cefalexin

(CC) Image: David E. Volk
cefalexin
IUPAC name: see chemistry section Synonyms: cephalexin Formula: C16H17N3O4S
Uses:	antibiotic drug
Properties:	beta-lactam
Hazards:	see drug interactions
Mass (g/mol): CAS #: 347.3890 15686-71-2

Cefalexin (cephalexin) is one of the most widely used antibiotic medications. It is a first-generation cephalosporin type of antibiotic drug, that is sold under nearly 100 brand names.

Chemistry

An IUPAC chemical name of cefalexin is (6R,7R)-7-[[(2R)-2-amino-2-phenylacetyl]amino]-3-methyl-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid. Its chemical formula, C₁₆H₁₇N₃O₄S, gives it an average molecule mass of 347.3890 gram/mole. Its antibacterial activity is due to the core beta-lactam structure, which bind with penicillin-binding proteins within bacteria, thereby inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis, by an acylation reaction of the lactam with the bacterial proteins.

References

The most up-to-date information about Cefalexin and other drugs can be found at the following sites.

• Cefalexin - FDA approved drug information (drug label) from DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
• Cefalexin - Drug information for consumers from MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
• Cefalexin - Detailed information from DrugBank.