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Suggest Alternative Medication For Cephalexin
Question: Have a cellulitis infection on outside of my neck. Went to my doctor and he said it was one of the worse swimmers ears he has seen. Prescribed cephalexin 500 mg. took my first pill at 6 tonight. It is 10 and I have thrown up twice which does not relieve the stomach pain. I am a little afraidto take my next dose at midnight. I am leaving on a cruise Wednesday and need some advise.
Brief Answer:
Some information:
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXX,
Otitis externa (swimmers ear) can usually be treated with topical medications that include an antibiotic, anti fungal, and corticosteroid (the corticosteroid doesn't kill germs but decreases the inflammation). I have treated pregnant women with bad otitis externa, who did not want to take an oral antibiotic, by inserting a wick made of cotton (looks like gym shoe lace material) into the ear canal and then dripping the topical medicine onto the wick which allows it to get into the ear canal. They can do this in an urgent care or ER.
However it sounds as though your neck soft tissue is also involved? This is not typically part of otitis externa and so I can understand the need for an oral antibiotic.
If you are not able to tolerate the cephalexin pills (and it sounds pretty clearly like you are not), then there are other antibiotic choices. You might even be able to take an antibiotic by grinding it up (such as with a mortar and pestle) and mixing it with apple sauce.
If you did not vomit within the first 1/2 - 1 hour of taking that one dose that you have taken so far, you may have absorbed some of it into your system.
I suggest you call the doctor who is on call for your doctor (you can reach this person by calling your doctor's number) to discuss whether they want to switch you to a different antibiotic or have you take it in a different form.
I hope this helps and that you are feeling better soon!
Some information:
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXX,
Otitis externa (swimmers ear) can usually be treated with topical medications that include an antibiotic, anti fungal, and corticosteroid (the corticosteroid doesn't kill germs but decreases the inflammation). I have treated pregnant women with bad otitis externa, who did not want to take an oral antibiotic, by inserting a wick made of cotton (looks like gym shoe lace material) into the ear canal and then dripping the topical medicine onto the wick which allows it to get into the ear canal. They can do this in an urgent care or ER.
However it sounds as though your neck soft tissue is also involved? This is not typically part of otitis externa and so I can understand the need for an oral antibiotic.
If you are not able to tolerate the cephalexin pills (and it sounds pretty clearly like you are not), then there are other antibiotic choices. You might even be able to take an antibiotic by grinding it up (such as with a mortar and pestle) and mixing it with apple sauce.
If you did not vomit within the first 1/2 - 1 hour of taking that one dose that you have taken so far, you may have absorbed some of it into your system.
I suggest you call the doctor who is on call for your doctor (you can reach this person by calling your doctor's number) to discuss whether they want to switch you to a different antibiotic or have you take it in a different form.
I hope this helps and that you are feeling better soon!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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