Cephalexin: clinical effectiveness in geriatric patients.

A clinical and bacteriologic study was done in 298 elderly patients who had infections that were treated with cephalexin. Satisfactory clinical responses occurred in 93% of the 44 patients with respiratory tract infections, 96% of the 27 patients with skin and soft tissue infections, and 87% of the 227 patients with urinary tract infections (15 had asymptomatic bacteriurial); bacteriologic responses were satisfacoty in 80, 74, and 72 percent, respectively. The clinical response to cephalexin treatment was the same in 283 patients over age 65 as in 902 patients 16 to 64 years of age. Only 7% of 934 elderly patients had adverse reactions, which were generally mild. The BUN, SGOT, and hematopoietic values showed no change. Thus, cephalexin can be recommended for the oral treatment of many common infections in the elderly.