cephalexin

ceph·a·lex·in  (sf-lksn)

n.

A semisynthetic analogue of cephalosporin, C₁₆H₁₇N₃O₄S, used especially in the treatment of respiratory and urinary tract infections.

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[Blend of cephal(ospor)in and ex- (probably alteration of hex(a)-, from the six carbon atoms comprising the phenyl group that distinguishes it from cephalosporin).]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

cephalexin - an oral cephalosporin (trade names Keflex and Keflin and Keftab) commonly prescribe for mild to moderately severe infections of the skin or ears or throat or lungs or urinary tract Keflex, Keflin, Keftab cephalosporin, Mefoxin - one of several broad spectrum antibiotic substances obtained from fungi and related to penicillin (trade names Mefoxin); addition of side chains has produced semisynthetic antibiotics with greater antibacterial activity