Cephalosporin Dosing and Usage Guidelines

Adult and Pediatric Dosing Considerations

For endocarditis, the American Heart Association recommends cefazolin 100 mg/kg/day IV divided every 8 hours up to 12 g daily 1, 2
For animal bites, the Infectious Diseases Society of America suggests cephalexin 500 mg 3-4 times per day orally, but notes that it may not be effective against Pasteurella multocida 3, 4
For skin and soft tissue infections caused by MSSA, the Infectious Diseases Society of America recommends cephalexin 500 mg 4 times per day orally 4, 5
Cephalexin does not have adequate coverage against MRSA, according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America 4, 5
First-generation cephalosporins, such as cephalexin, have poor activity against Pasteurella multocida, which is commonly found in animal bites, as noted by the Infectious Diseases Society of America 3
Cephalexin should not be used in patients with immediate hypersensitivity to β-lactam antibiotics, as stated by the Infectious Diseases Society of America 3