Can Keflex capsules be opened?
By
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii, PhD, is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drug Design and Development, Enzymes, Molecular Modelling, and Photodynamic Therapy. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii’s Highlights:
- Postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of São Paulo, emphasizing therapy of neglected diseases using light.
- PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences focusing on drug design and development at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of São Paulo.
- Six months as an international researcher at the Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases (University of California San Diego)
- Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences focusing on drug design and development at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of São Paulo.
- Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Mogi das Cruzes – São Paulo / Brazil
Professional Experience:
2012 – 2018 Project manager at University of São Paulo – Pharmacy Department
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii has worked with computational studies, synthesis, biological evaluation, design, and development of new inhibitor candidates for Chagas Disease and Leishmaniasis.
2017 – 2017 International research fellow at University of California San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences – Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases.
She used Virtual Screening (VS) and High-Throughput Screening (HTS) Integration in the Discovery of new drugs against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
2018 – 2019 Faculdades Oswaldo Cruz
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii was a professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy, teaching the subjects of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Drug Development.
2019 – 2021 Researcher in Biochemistry University of São Paulo – Biochemistry Department
She applied Photodynamic Therapy in Leishmaniasis Treatment, mentored undergraduate students in scientific activities, and wrote, executed, translated, and reported scientific projects with funding agencies.
2023-2023 UniPiaget – University Center.
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii was a Biology, Nutrition, Physiotherapy, and Pharmacy professor.
Education:
2018 -2021 Postdoctoral at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of São Paulo
2013 -2018 PhD of Science: Drugs and Medicines at Department of Pharmacy at University of São Paulo
2012 -2013 M.Sc. of Sciences: Drugs and Medicines at the Department of Pharmacy at the University of São Paulo
2005-2008 Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Mogi das Cruzes
The leading publications of Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii are:
Vital-Fujii, D.G, Baptista, M.S. (2021). Progress in the photodynamic therapy treatment of Leishmaniasis. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 54, 1-11.
Gatti, F. M., Gomes, R.A., da Fonseca, A.L., Lima, E.J.C., Vital-Fujii, D.G., Taranto, A.G., Varotti, F.P., Trossini, G.H.G. (2020). Antiplasmodial activity of sulfonylhydrazones: in vitro and in silico approaches. Future medicinal chemistry, 13, 233-250.
Silva, E.J., Bezerra-Souza, A., Passero, L.F., Laurenti, M.D., Ferreira, G.M., Fujii, D.G.V., et al. (2018). Synthesis, leishmanicidal activity, structural descriptors and structure-activity relationship of quinoline derivatives. Future medicinal chemistry, 10, 2069-2085.
Leite, F.H.A., Froes, T.Q., da Silva, S.G., de Souza, E.I.M., Vital-Fuji,i D.G., Trossini, G.H.G., et al. (2017). An integrated approach towards the discovery of novel non-nucleoside Leishmania major pteridine reductase 1 inhibitors. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 132, 322-332.
Vital, D.G., Damasceno, F.S., Rapado, L.N., Silber, A.M., Vilella, F.S., Ferreira, R.S., et al. (2017). Application of bioisosterism in design of the semicarbazone derivatives as cruzain inhibitors: a theoretical and experimental study. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 35, 1244–1259.
Mello, J. F.R., Gomes, R.A., Vital-Fujii, D.G., Ferreira, G.M., Trossini, G.H.G. (2017). Fragment-based drug discovery as alternative strategy to the drug development for neglected diseases. Chemical Biology & Drug Design, 90, 1067-1078.
Pantaleao, S.Q., Fujii, D.G.V., Maltarollo, V.G., da C. Silva, D., Trossini, G.H.G., Weber, K.C., et al. (2017). The Role of QSAR and Virtual Screening Studies in Type 2 Diabetes Drug Discovery. Medicinal Chemistry, 13, 706-720.
Vital, D., Arribas, M., Trossini, G. (2014). Molecular Modeling and Docking Application to Evaluate Cruzain Inhibitory Activity by Chalcones and Hydrazides. Letters in Drug Design and Discovery, 11, 249-255.
Blau, L., Menegon, R.F., Trossini, G.H.G., Molino, J.V.D., Vital, D.G., Cicarelli, R.M.B., et al. (2013). Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of new aryl thiosemicarbazone as antichagasic candidates. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 67, 142-151.
You can view some of Dr Drielli’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9270-0466
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Drielli-Gomes-Vital-Fujii
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55829534000
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=F9U50AEAAAAJ&hl=pt-BR
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/driellivital
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/6101380/drielli-gomes-vital
CDIPD: https://cdipd.org/index.php/about-us/visiting-scientists
Can Keflex capsules be opened?
Yes, Keflex (Cephalexin) capsules can be opened and taken with food if you can’t ingest the whole capsule. However, this should be done with great care.
The dose uniformity should be maintained and you should consume the contents of the entire capsule at once. Keflex is extremely bitter in taste and that’s one of the reasons why it is formulated as a capsule (1).
When you open the shell, you will taste the bitter drug, no matter what you add it to. That’s why I recommend not adding it to water and going for semi-liquid foods like pudding or applesauce to mask the bitter taste as much as possible.
It is also strictly recommended to not store opened medication for later use as exposure to the environment will most likely affect drug stability and efficacy. If you follow these precautions, you can safely consume the opened capsule.
Potential risks of consuming opened Keflex capsules improperly
When you consume opened Keflex capsules improperly, there are potential risks involved. One of the main concerns is that the medication may not work as effectively in treating the infection it was prescribed for (1).
Keflex is an antibiotic, and if the capsules are not taken as directed, it can lead to antibiotic resistance, making the bacteria more difficult to treat in the future (2).
Another risk is that improper consumption could result in incorrect dosing, which might lead to inadequate treatment or an overdose. Taking too little of the medication may not clear the infection while taking too much could cause harmful side effects.
Furthermore, if Keflex capsules are not stored properly after being opened, they can become contaminated, increasing the risk of consuming a contaminated or expired product. This can be especially dangerous, as it may lead to new infections or worsen existing ones.
Alternatives to opening Keflex capsules
If you find it difficult to swallow Keflex capsules, there are alternative options to consider. First, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about the possibility of getting Keflex in a different form, such as a liquid suspension or chewable tablets.
These alternative forms can be easier to take, especially for individuals who have difficulty swallowing pills.
Alternatively, you can try taking the Keflex capsules with a spoonful of applesauce or yoghurt to make swallowing easier. This method is often referred to as the “pill-rolling” technique, where you place the capsule in a soft food and swallow it together without chewing.
Final words
To sum up, you can open Keflex capsules as long as you take them properly. To ensure your safety and the effectiveness of the medication, always follow your healthcare provider’s instructions on how to take Keflex capsules correctly.
Take the prescribed dosage at the appropriate times, and store the medication in a cool, dry place, away from moisture and direct sunlight. If you have any concerns or questions about your medication, consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist for guidance.
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References
1.-
LABEL: keflex- cephalexin capsule. DailyMed [Internet]. Available from: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=68fba58a-7748-4581-8432-f5286c46d90a&type=pdf
2.-
Herman TF, Hashmi MF. Cephalexin. 2022 Aug 18. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 31747187. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549780
