Concerns about taking CEFALEXIN while taking METFORMIN

[bravejordy]

I am male, 58 years old with type 2 diabetes and a couple of other ongoing problems. The medication I am currently taking is as follows:-


METFORMIN 500MG - TWO to be taken TWICE a day

EPILIM 200MG - One tablet THREE times a day

RAMIPRIL 5MG - ONE capsule a day

RAMIPRIL 2.5MG - ONE capsule a day

LIPITOR (ATORVASTATIN) 10MG - ONE tablet DAILY

CO-CODAMOL 8/500MG - ONE tablet THREE times a day


In addition to the above, I have a history of recurring Urinary Tract Infections and in 2009, kidney stones were diagnosed as the cause. The stones were subsequently removed and every year I have to see the Urologist. Since January of this year I have had a urine infection (burning sensation when urinating, cloudy and foul smelling urine) and my GP prescribed TRIMETHOPRIM which had very little effect. In February he prescribed AMOXICILLIN which also had no effect. To be honest, I don't have much faith in antibiotics since 2009 when my doctor must have prescribed at least 15 separate courses before finally referring me to a Urologist (and only after I'd requested him to do so).

However, getting back up to date, I decided it was pointless going to see my GP again as I had an appointment to see the Urologist on March 9th. Unfortunately on the day I didn't get to see my regular Urologist but a member of his team, a young female doctor. To cut a long story short, she asked me what medication I was on so I gave her a list identical to the one above. I even told her about the antibiotics I'd recently been prescribed and she basically criticised my GP for prescribing AMOXICILLIN saying they would have absolutely no effect whatsoever on the type of infection I had. She then told me she was going to prescribe CEFALEXIN (250MG), but as a kind of afterthought she checked through a book to make sure they were ok to take while taking EPILIM (Sodium Valproate). She said they were and I duly collected my prescription from the hospital pharmacy. I'm supposed to take ONE capsule FOUR times a day for SEVEN days but when I got home I read through the leaflet that came with the capsules and according to that, CEFALEXIN may interact with METFORMIN. Now I'm worrying that she may not have noticed METFORMIN in the list of meds I take, and if the two don't mix maybe this would explain why my own doctor has never prescribed CEFALEXIN. To be honest, as desperate as I am to get rid of this infection, I'm reluctant to start this course of CEFALEXIN until I know for certain they're ok for me to take. I mean if they do interact with my METFORMIN what would be the worst case scenario? I'd appreciate any help with this.

[Sqad]

No big deal.......the infection at the moment takes precedence over your diabetes in my opinion and the antibiotics are only temporary.

Drug interaction in my opinion is a rather overplayed record and certainly does not happen in all cases.

If it were me, I would take the Cefelexin without a second thought.......but just keep an eye on your blood sugar levels.

[bravejordy]

Cheers Sqad, I'll get started on those Cefalexin right away and fingers crossed they'll succeed where the other antibiotics have failed. Thanks again :)

[ladyalex]

I am sure that sqad has given you sound advice , but you could always ask your pharmacist, or any pharmacist.
They are very knowledgable and easy to contact. Just ring up any chemist and ask to speak to one.
Hope all goes well with you very soon.

[bravejordy]

Thanks ladyalex, yes, I took Sqad's advice and started taking the Cefalexin this morning (and every six hours since) but just to be on the safe side I leave a 3 hour gap between taking them and my Metformin, although I'm not sure if this makes any difference or not. My only complaint is that these Cefalexin capsules smell like cat pee! :(

[ladyalex]

Thanks for getting back, Bravejordy.
I hope you feel a lot better very soon :-))

[mike11111]

Some 8 years ago I was prescribed Cephalexin for a serious chest infection and they really did the business, so continue. Whilst I am loth to contradict the Lady of the Manor, do not on any account ask your pharmacist for advice. His job is to dispense the prescription of your GP - he is not a diagnostician. I don't know how true it is today, but when I was a child most, if not all, pharmacists were failed medical students thrown off the bachelor of medicine course and trained in pharmacy as a sop.

[bravejordy]

Thanks again, ladyalex, I appreciate that. :)