Skin rash or irritation after Cephalexin in dogs

155 reports to the FDA describe skin rash or irritation in dogs given Cephalexin. That is 5.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.3% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

155Reports

62%Marked serious

19%Recovered

15%Died or euthanised

25 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

15 12%

1–2 days

13 10%

3–7 days

11 8.8%

1–4 weeks

33 26%

Over a month

53 42%

How the animals did

Recovered

24 15%

Recovered with lasting effects

6 3.9%

Still unwell when reported

69 45%

Died

11 7.1%

Euthanised

12 7.7%

Not known

33 21%

Problems reported at the same time

45 29%

41 26%

37 24%

34 22%

33 21%

28 18%

28 18%

27 17%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Cephalexin cause skin rash or irritation in dogs?: 155 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 25 days of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Skin rash or irritation with similar medicines

Skin rash or irritation after Melarsomine (Immiticide) 180 reports · 0.8% of its reports
Skin rash or irritation after Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan 71 reports · 1.3% of its reports
Skin rash or irritation after Diphenhydramine 190 reports · 4.0% of its reports
Skin rash or irritation after Butorphanol 74 reports · 1.7% of its reports
Skin rash or irritation after Cefpodoxime 299 reports · 7.4% of its reports
Skin rash or irritation after Tramadol 108 reports · 2.9% of its reports
Skin rash or irritation after Florfenicol + Mometasone + Terbinafine 66 reports · 1.9% of its reports
Skin rash or irritation after Desoxycorticosterone Pivalate 66 reports · 2.0% of its reports
Skin rash or irritation after Propofol 49 reports · 1.6% of its reports
Skin rash or irritation after Dirlotapide 41 reports · 1.5% of its reports

All reported side effects of Cephalexin in dogs · Medicines most reported with skin rash or irritation