About this information
This NHS content is written for people in England. Medicine names, availability, prescribing and services may differ in other countries.
Cefalexin is an antibiotic. It belongs to a group of antibiotics called cephalosporins.
It's used to treat bacterial infections, such as pneumonia and other chest infections, skin infections and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Cefalexin is only available on prescription. It comes as capsules, tablets or as a liquid that you swallow.
View the original NHS website page ↗. Refreshed 19 August 2026.
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