Drug interactions
Cefalexin + Kanamycin
Severity: Moderate
Cefalexin and Kanamycin: moderate 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
Concurrent use of cefalexin with an aminoglycoside such as kanamycin has been associated with an increased risk of kidney injury in some reports. Aminoglycosides themselves are nephrotoxic and ototoxic, so any added renal impairment can raise drug exposure and toxicity.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cefalexin and Kanamycin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Additive nephrotoxic potential, with reduced renal function leading to higher aminoglycoside accumulation and ototoxicity risk.
What to do
Monitor serum creatinine and urine output, and measure aminoglycoside levels where applicable. Adjust the kanamycin dose to renal function and report hearing or balance changes promptly.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Cefalexin and Kanamycin, 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 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Cefalexin
- Amikacin + Cefalexin Moderate
- Avelumab + Cefalexin Moderate
- Balstilimab + Cefalexin Moderate
- Bcg vaccine live + Cefalexin Moderate
- Cefalexin + Cholera vaccine Moderate
- Cefalexin + Gentamicin Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cefalexin with Kanamycin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cefalexin and Kanamycin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Concurrent use of cefalexin with an aminoglycoside such as kanamycin has been associated with an increased risk of kidney injury in some reports. Aminoglycosides themselves are nephrotoxic and ototoxic, so any added renal impairment can raise drug exposure and toxicity.
How serious is the interaction between Cefalexin and Kanamycin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor serum creatinine and urine output, and measure aminoglycoside levels where applicable. Adjust the kanamycin dose to renal function and report hearing or balance changes promptly.
What other medicines interact with Cefalexin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cefalexin with, for example, Amikacin, Avelumab, Balstilimab. The full list is on the Cefalexin 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.
