Skip to content
AMR Drug RepurposingSmart Screeningresearch prototype

Cephalexin

FDA-approved product (capsule, oral), marketed as Cephalexin, Keflet, Keflex and 2 more.

Registered studies
50+
Lab records
9
Pathogens at ≥40%
3 of 4

Chemical structure

Chemical structure of Cephalexin
A drawing shows what the molecule is, not what it does.

Existing / approved use

Documented · FDA, WHO, ChEMBL

Approved for

  • Bacterial disease
  • Infection
  • Otitis media
  • Prostatitis
  • Respiratory tract infectious disorder
  • Sprain

Indications ChEMBL records as approved, from FDA and DailyMed labels. Label ↗

WHO therapeutic group
First-generation cephalosporins
Anti-infective classification
Classified as an existing antimicrobial.WHO ATC J01DB01

Repurposing investigation

Cephalexin is already an antimicrobial, so it is not counted among the repurposing candidates. Its AI-predicted activity is shown below for reference.

AI-predicted activity

AI prediction · nothing measured
  • MRSA97.7% AI-predicted activityAt or above the ≥40% mark this site uses to surface candidates. This medicine was in the model's training data, so this is recall, not a new prediction.
  • E. coli84.3% AI-predicted activityAt or above the ≥40% mark this site uses to surface candidates. This medicine was in the model's training data, so this is recall, not a new prediction.
  • K. pneumoniae84.6% AI-predicted activityAt or above the ≥40% mark this site uses to surface candidates. This medicine was in the model's training data, so this is recall, not a new prediction.
  • M. tuberculosis32.3% AI-predicted activityBelow the ≥40% mark this site uses to surface candidates.

A model’s estimate of laboratory activity against each pathogen species. It is not clinical effectiveness.

Evidence

Clinical and experimental

Documented evidence

Clinical

50+registered studies name this medicine, for any condition. The registry search keeps the first 50, so there may be more. See them below.

Experimental

  • MRSA: measured active in 4 of 7 lab records
  • E. coli: measured active in 1 of 1 lab record
  • K. pneumoniae: measured active in 1 of 1 lab record
Open Cephalexin in ChEMBL Registered studies below
Show the 9 laboratory records, with sources

Loading records…

“Active” means the measured value reached this project’s laboratory cutoff (10 µM or stronger). A laboratory result does not show an effect in patients.

Docking

Computational · nothing measured

Dihydrofolate reductase ↗ (E. coli)

-6.6 kcal/mol

0better fit →-12

KPC-2 carbapenemase ↗ (K. pneumoniae)

-8.6 kcal/mol

0better fit →-12

Enoyl-ACP reductase (InhA) ↗ (M. tuberculosis)

-8.6 kcal/mol

0better fit →-12

Dihydrofolate reductase ↗ (MRSA)

Not yet docked: queued in the docking rundetails

AutoDock Vina, one experimentally solved protein per pathogen. This project’s screening target is -7.0 kcal/mol, its own mark rather than a universal cutoff. A docking score is a structural hypothesis, not proof of binding, and requires experimental validation.

Other medicines to investigate

AI prediction · nothing measured

Other repurposing candidates: approved medicines besides Cephalexin with AI-predicted activity ≥40% against the chosen pathogen, leaving out existing antimicrobials. They are computational candidates for further investigation, not alternatives and not recommendations.

Sorted by AI-predicted activity, high to low. The order is not a ranking of which medicine is better.

Registered studies

A registration describes a study; it does not establish a positive result.

  • Self-Start Triage Model for Post-Botox® Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

    NCT07648290 · start 2026-07-31

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT07648290
    Conditions
    Overactive Bladder
    Interventions
    Macrobid® Capsules 100 mg; Standard Medical Care (SMC)
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Early phase 1
    Registry status
    Recruiting
    Start
    2026-07-31
    Completion
    2028-03-31
    Enrolment
    260

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionOveractive Bladder
    InterventionMacrobid® Capsules 100 mg; Standard Medical Care (SMC)
    PhaseEarly phase 1
    Registry statusRecruiting

  • Nailbed Repair for Patients With Nailbed Injuries

    NCT07388823 · start 2026-06-01

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT07388823
    Conditions
    Nail Bed Injury; Nail Laceration; Nail Plate Disruption
    Interventions
    Nail Bed Repair; Nail bed dressing
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Recruiting
    Start
    2026-06-01
    Completion
    2030-10-31
    Enrolment
    100

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionNail Bed Injury; Nail Laceration; Nail Plate Disruption
    InterventionNail Bed Repair; Nail bed dressing
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusRecruiting

  • Extended Oral Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Diabetic Fracture Patients

    NCT07561541 · start 2026-04-01

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT07561541
    Conditions
    Fracture Lower Leg; Diabetes; Fracture Fixation, Internal
    Interventions
    Cefadroxil 500 mg Capsules; Clindamycin; Bactrim DS
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 4
    Registry status
    Recruiting
    Start
    2026-04-01
    Completion
    2027-12-31
    Enrolment
    40

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionFracture Lower Leg; Diabetes; Fracture Fixation, Internal
    InterventionCefadroxil 500 mg Capsules; Clindamycin; Bactrim DS
    PhasePhase 4
    Registry statusRecruiting

  • The Effect of Losartan on Cephalexin

    NCT07300670 · start 2026-03-04

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT07300670
    Conditions
    Possible Interaction Between Losartan and Cephalexin; Healthy
    Interventions
    losartan; cephalexin
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 1
    Registry status
    Recruiting
    Start
    2026-03-04
    Completion
    2026-05-08
    Enrolment
    12

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionPossible Interaction Between Losartan and Cephalexin; Healthy
    Interventionlosartan; cephalexin
    PhasePhase 1
    Registry statusRecruiting

  • Benson Relaxation Technique Effectiveness on Pain and Quality of Life Post Reconstructive Mammoplasty

    NCT07032883 · start 2025-06-25

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT07032883
    Conditions
    Breast Cancer
    Interventions
    Benson relaxation technique; Routine physiotherapy program; Medications
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Not yet recruiting
    Start
    2025-06-25
    Completion
    2026-02-15
    Enrolment
    68

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionBreast Cancer
    InterventionBenson relaxation technique; Routine physiotherapy program; Medications
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusNot yet recruiting

  • Optimizing the Diagnostic Approach to Cephalosporin Allergy Testing

    NCT06406114 · start 2025-05-05

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT06406114
    Conditions
    Drug Allergy; Cephalosporin Allergy; Drug Hypersensitivity; Antibiotic Allergy; Beta Lactam Adverse Reaction; Drug-Induced Anaphylaxis; Cephalosporin Reaction
    Interventions
    Beta-lactam antibiotic (cefazolin, cefuroxime, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefepime, pre-pen, penicillin G, ampicillin, and histamine) double-blind skin testing; Culprit cephalosporin (cefazolin, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefepime, cephalexin, cefaclor, cefadroxil, cefuroxime, cefpodoxime, cefdinir, or cefixime) double-blind placebo-controlled drug challenge; Similar cephalosporin (cefepime, ceftriaxone, cefaclor, cephalexin, cefixime, or cefdinir) antibiotic double-blind placebo-controlled drug challenge; Dissimilar cephalosporin (ceftriaxone or cefazolin) antibiotic double-blind placebo-controlled drug challenge; Amoxicillin double-blind placebo-controlled drug challenge
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 2
    Registry status
    Recruiting
    Start
    2025-05-05
    Completion
    2028-12-31
    Enrolment
    300

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionDrug Allergy; Cephalosporin Allergy; Drug Hypersensitivity; Antibiotic Allergy +3 more
    InterventionBeta-lactam antibiotic (cefazolin, cefuroxime, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefepime, pre-pen, penicillin G, ampicillin, and histamine) double-blind skin testing; Culprit cephalosporin (cefazolin, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefepime, cephalexin, cefaclor, cefadroxil, cefuroxime, cefpodoxime, cefdinir, or cefixime) double-blind placebo-controlled drug challenge; Similar cephalosporin (cefepime, ceftriaxone, cefaclor, cephalexin, cefixime, or cefdinir) antibiotic double-blind placebo-controlled drug challenge; Dissimilar cephalosporin (ceftriaxone or cefazolin) antibiotic double-blind placebo-controlled drug challenge +1 more
    PhasePhase 2
    Registry statusRecruiting

  • Patient-Directed Antimicrobial Duration in Acute Uncomplicated Pyelonephritis

    NCT06127160 · start 2024-06-04

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT06127160
    Conditions
    Pyelonephritis Acute
    Interventions
    Cephalexin; Cephalexin or placebo
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 4
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2024-06-04
    Completion
    2025-08-29
    Enrolment
    39

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionPyelonephritis Acute
    InterventionCephalexin; Cephalexin or placebo
    PhasePhase 4
    Registry statusCompleted

  • A Platform Trial for Gram Negative Bloodstream Infections

    NCT06537609 · start 2024-04-24

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT06537609
    Conditions
    Gram-negative Bacteremia
    Interventions
    De-escalation VS No De-escalation; Oral beta-lactams VS non beta-lactams; Central vascular catheter retention VS Central vascular catheter replacement; Cephalosporin VS Carbapenem for low risk AmpC organisms; Routine follow-up blood culture VS No routine follow-up blood culture
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Recruiting
    Start
    2024-04-24
    Completion
    2028-04
    Enrolment
    2,500

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionGram-negative Bacteremia
    InterventionDe-escalation VS No De-escalation; Oral beta-lactams VS non beta-lactams; Central vascular catheter retention VS Central vascular catheter replacement; Cephalosporin VS Carbapenem for low risk AmpC organisms +1 more
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusRecruiting

  • Gram-Negative Bloodstream Infection Oral Antibiotic Therapy Trial

    NCT06080698 · start 2024-02-22

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT06080698
    Conditions
    Gram-negative Bacteremia
    Interventions
    Intravenous Antibiotics; Oral Antibiotics
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Recruiting
    Start
    2024-02-22
    Completion
    2027-06-30
    Enrolment
    1,030

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionGram-negative Bacteremia
    InterventionIntravenous Antibiotics; Oral Antibiotics
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusRecruiting

  • Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Pediatric Open Fractures

    NCT06055712 · start 2023-09-11

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT06055712
    Conditions
    Fractures, Open; Infections
    Interventions
    Cefazolin; Cephalexin
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 4
    Registry status
    Enrolling by invitation
    Start
    2023-09-11
    Completion
    2034-01
    Enrolment
    800

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionFractures, Open; Infections
    InterventionCefazolin; Cephalexin
    PhasePhase 4
    Registry statusEnrolling by invitation

  • High-dose Cephalexin for Cellulitis (HI-DOCC)

    NCT05852262 · start 2023-08-30

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT05852262
    Conditions
    Cellulitis
    Interventions
    Cephalexin; Cephalexin
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 4
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2023-08-30
    Completion
    2026-04-05
    Enrolment
    454

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionCellulitis
    InterventionCephalexin; Cephalexin
    PhasePhase 4
    Registry statusCompleted

  • Preventive Effect of Prophylactic Oral Antibiotics Against Cholangitis After Kasai Portoenterostomy

    NCT05925309 · start 2023-07-01

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT05925309
    Conditions
    Biliary Atresia; Cholangitis; Anti-Bacterial Agents
    Interventions
    Basic treatment: sulperazone + ursodeoxycholic acid + compound glycyrrhizin + methylprednisolone + vitamin AD , D , E , K + imipenem or meropenem; Prophylactic oral antibiotics: compound sulfamethoxazole tablet (SMZ/TMP) + cefaclor
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Recruiting
    Start
    2023-07-01
    Completion
    2029-12-31
    Enrolment
    356

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionBiliary Atresia; Cholangitis; Anti-Bacterial Agents
    InterventionBasic treatment: sulperazone + ursodeoxycholic acid + compound glycyrrhizin + methylprednisolone + vitamin AD , D , E , K + imipenem or meropenem; Prophylactic oral antibiotics: compound sulfamethoxazole tablet (SMZ/TMP) + cefaclor
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusRecruiting

  • The BLAST- 1 Trial - Cephalexin+Amoxicillin-clavulanate for Tuberculosis

    NCT05664568 · start 2023-03-15

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT05664568
    Conditions
    Tuberculosis, Pulmonary
    Interventions
    Cephalexin; Amoxicillin-Clavulanate 500 Mg-125 Mg Oral Tablet; Standard of care treatment of tuberculosis
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 2
    Registry status
    Unknown
    Start
    2023-03-15
    Completion
    2024-12
    Enrolment
    30

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionTuberculosis, Pulmonary
    InterventionCephalexin; Amoxicillin-Clavulanate 500 Mg-125 Mg Oral Tablet; Standard of care treatment of tuberculosis
    PhasePhase 2
    Registry statusUnknown

  • Role of Prophylactic Postoperative Antibiotics in HoLEP

    NCT05274672 · start 2023-03-01

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT05274672
    Conditions
    Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia; Urinary Tract Infections
    Interventions
    Nitrofurantoin; Cephalexin; Sulfamethoxazole Trimethoprim Combination; Ciprofloxacin; Holmium Laser Enucleation of prostate
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 4
    Registry status
    Withdrawn
    Start
    2023-03-01
    Completion
    2025-02-20
    Enrolment
    0

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionBenign Prostatic Hyperplasia; Urinary Tract Infections
    InterventionNitrofurantoin; Cephalexin; Sulfamethoxazole Trimethoprim Combination; Ciprofloxacin +1 more
    PhasePhase 4
    Registry statusWithdrawn

  • Prophylactic Antibiotic Administration for Bladder OnabotulinumtoxinA Injection

    NCT05719285 · start 2022-12-06

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT05719285
    Conditions
    Overactive Bladder; Overactive Bladder Syndrome; Urge Incontinence; Urinary Incontinence, Urge
    Interventions
    Single-Dose Antibiotic; Multi-Dose Antibiotic
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 4
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2022-12-06
    Completion
    2023-06-08
    Enrolment
    100

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionOveractive Bladder; Overactive Bladder Syndrome; Urge Incontinence; Urinary Incontinence, Urge
    InterventionSingle-Dose Antibiotic; Multi-Dose Antibiotic
    PhasePhase 4
    Registry statusCompleted