Cephalexin
Rilexine (veterinary) · Keflex (human) · generic cephalexin
Cephalexin is the standard antibiotic for bacterial skin infections in dogs (pyoderma), and is used for wounds, bone and urinary infections. A veterinary chewable exists, but the human capsules are the same drug and any pharmacy can fill a vet’s prescription for them.
What it is used for
Cephalexin is a first-generation cephalosporin that works against the Staphylococcus bacteria behind most canine skin infections. Courses for skin disease are long, often three to six weeks, and the dose is set by weight, so the quantity per prescription is large. It is also used for urinary infections, abscesses and after orthopaedic surgery.
Rilexine is the veterinary chewable; the human capsules and suspension contain the same drug and are what most pharmacies dispense for dogs. Vomiting, diarrhoea and reduced appetite are the usual effects; giving it with food helps. Many vets now take a swab for culture when a skin infection recurs, because resistant Staphylococcus strains are increasingly common in dogs and cephalexin will not clear them; the result decides whether to continue or switch.
Safety points that differ from human use
- Animals with a history of serious penicillin or cephalosporin reactions should not receive it.
- Finish the full course; stopping early is the commonest reason skin infections return.
- The human suspension must be refrigerated and used within the period the pharmacist states.
- Capsules (human)
- Tablets (human)
- Oral suspension (human)
- Chewable tablets (veterinary)
- 250, 500 and 750 mg human capsules
- Suspension 125 and 250 mg per 5 mL
Why the cash price varies
Cephalexin capsules are a commodity generic on most flat-price antibiotic lists, so even a long course is mostly dispensing fee. Because dog courses use many capsules, the per-capsule mark-up at a pharmacy without a flat price adds up. The veterinary chewable costs more.
How to pay less
- Ask the vet to write the prescription for human capsules at a strength that fits your dog’s weight.
- Ask whether cephalexin is on the pharmacy’s flat-price antibiotic list.
- For a long skin course, ask for the full course in one prescription to pay one fee.
- Upload the prescription to Script Unlock so licensed pharmacies can quote. You pay the pharmacy directly.
Questions for your vet
- How many weeks will my dog need this?
- Can I use human capsules rather than the veterinary chewable?
- Should I give it with food?
- What should I do if doses are vomited?
- Will there be a recheck before the course ends?
Rules on refills, transfers and controlled substances differ by state; see pharmacy rules by state.
How Script Unlock gets you a cash price for your pet’s cephalexin prescription
Prices on this site come from pharmacies responding to a real prescription. We do not publish estimated, average or "typical" prices, because none of those would be your price.
- 1You upload your prescription
A photo of your your pet’s cephalexin prescription prescription is enough. Nothing is sold on the site; you are asking pharmacies to quote.
- 2Licensed pharmacies respond
Pharmacies that Script Unlock has verified see the request and each can reply with its own cash price for your exact drug, strength and quantity.
- 3You choose and pay the pharmacy
You compare the responses, pick a pharmacy, and pay that pharmacy directly when you collect. Script Unlock never takes a patient payment and never sets the price.
Related pet medications
Sources
- FDA Approved Animal Drug Products (Green Book)
- Merck Veterinary Manual
- FDA Orange Book (approved generics and therapeutic equivalence)
- MedlinePlus drug information (National Library of Medicine)
Written by the Script Unlock editorial team from the sources above. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian or veterinary pharmacist. Last checked 2026-10-03. Nothing here replaces your vet\u2019s directions; doses for animals are set by weight and species.
Script Unlock is a marketplace that lets licensed pharmacies quote a cash price on your prescription. It does not prescribe, dispense or sell medication, does not process patient payments, and does not give medical advice. Always follow the instructions of your prescriber and pharmacist and read the medication guide supplied with your medicine.