Drug interactions
Acetylsalicylic acid + Cephalexin
Severity: Minor
Acetylsalicylic acid and Cephalexin: minor interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both are renally secreted organic acids, so competition could slightly raise salicylate exposure. The effect is small and seldom clinically important.
What this interaction means in plain words
Acetylsalicylic acid and Cephalexin have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Why it happens
Competition for renal tubular organic anion secretion.
What to do
No action is generally required; monitor for salicylate adverse effects if high-dose aspirin is used.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Acetylsalicylic acid and Cephalexin, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Acetylsalicylic acid
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Abciximab + Acetylsalicylic acid Major
- Acemetacin + Acetylsalicylic acid Major
- Acetazolamide + Acetylsalicylic acid Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Alteplase Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Acetylsalicylic acid with Cephalexin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Acetylsalicylic acid and Cephalexin have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Both are renally secreted organic acids, so competition could slightly raise salicylate exposure. The effect is small and seldom clinically important.
How serious is the interaction between Acetylsalicylic acid and Cephalexin?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No action is generally required; monitor for salicylate adverse effects if high-dose aspirin is used.
What other medicines interact with Acetylsalicylic acid?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Acetylsalicylic acid with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Abciximab. The full list is on the Acetylsalicylic acid page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
