Generic Keftab

Common use

Keftab is a cephalosporin antibiotic. It kills, fights and stops the growth of some bacteria in the body. This medicine is used to treat many kinds of infections including upper respiratory infections, ear infections, skin infections, and urinary tract infections. It will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.



Dosage and direction

Take the medication exactly as it was prescribed for you by your doctor. Do not take a dose larger or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription schedule. Take Keftab with a full glass of water. Dissolve the Keftab dispersible tablet in a small amount of water, about 2 teaspoonfuls. Stir this mixture and drink all of it right away. To make sure you get the entire dose, add a little more water to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right away. Do not swallow or chew a dispersible tablet. Take Keftab for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated but do not stop take it. Keftab will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Keftab can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Keftab.



Precautions

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to cephalexin, or to similar antibiotics (Ceclor, Ceftin, Cefzil, Duricef, Fortaz, Omnicef, Spectracef, Suprax, and others). Before using Keftab, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillins), or if you have kidney or liver disease, a stomach or intestinal disorder such as colitis, diabetes, or if you are malnourished.



Contraindications

Allergy to cephalexin, or to similar antibiotics (Ceclor, Ceftin, Cefzil, Duricef, Fortaz, Omnicef, Spectracef, Suprax, and others), to penicillins, kidney or liver disease, a stomach or intestinal disorder such as colitis, diabetes, or if you are malnourished, pregnant or trying to get pregnant and breast-feeding.



Possible side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergy: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. You shoul immediately call to your doctor if you experience diarrhea that is watery or bloody, seizure (convulsions), fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash, pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, confusion or weakness, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, confusion, agitation, hallucinations (seeing things that are not there) or urinating less than usual or not at all.

Next side effects are less serious and they may include mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, tired feeling, joint pain or vaginal itching or discharge.



Drug interactions

Tell your doctor if you are using some of the drugs such as a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin), metformin (Fortamet, Glucophage, Riomet, Actoplus, Avandamet, Metaglip) or probenecid (Benemid). Also do not forget to tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor by yourself.



Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.



Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, and blood in your urine.



Storage

Store the tablets and capsules at room temperature. Keep it away from moisture and heat. Throw away any unused medication after 14 days.



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.

Clinical Verification

Last Clinically Updated: August 15, 2026

Written By

Dr. Elena Vance, PharmD

Clinical Specialist in Neuropharmacology

Fact Checked By

Marcus Thorne, MS

Biomedical Data & FDA Label Verification

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Arthur Campbell, MD

Board-Certified Psychiatrist (ABPN)