cephalexin

[ sef-uh-lek-sin ]
/ ˌsɛf əˈlɛk sɪn /

noun Pharmacology.

an oral, antimicrobial drug, C16H7N3O4S, used in treating minor respiratory and urinary tract infections and as a backup or alternative to penicillin treatment.

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Origin of cephalexin

1965–70; cephal(osporin) + -ex- of unclear derivation + -in2

Words nearby cephalexin

cephal-, cephalad, cephalalgia, cephalate, cephaledema, cephalexin, cephalhematocele, cephalhematoma, cephalhydrocele, cephalic, cephalic flexure
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Medical definitions for cephalexin

cephalexin
[ sĕf′ə-lĕk′sĭn ]

n.

A semisynthetic cephalosporin antibiotic used especially in the treatment of respiratory and urinary tract infections.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.