Rilexine (cephalexin)

Rilexine Chewable Tablets are recommended for the treatment of secondary superficial bacterial pyoderma of the skin in dogs caused by susceptible strains of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. It also treats cutaneous infections in dogs, including skin fold pyoderma impetigo, folliculitis, furunculosis, and cellulitis, as well as urinary tract infections. Rilexine is FDA-approved and is available in 3 sizes of tablets, making it easier to give your pet the exact dose and prevent side effects associated with inaccurate dosing. Rilexine is a chewable tablet and is scored for accurate dosing.

Key Benefits

• Effectively treats pyoderma in dogs
• FDA-approved
• Treats urinary tracts infections and bacterial infections of the skin
• Comes in a tasty liver-flavored chewable tablet
• Scored tablets for easy dosing
• 3 different sizes of tablets for accurate dosing
• Available in 150 mg, 300 mg and 600 mg

How It Works

Rilexine Chewable Tablets treat superficial bacterial pyoderma, a bacterial infection on the skin commonly found in dogs more so than cats. Symptoms include lesions, itchiness, and pus-filled swelling on the skin. In some cases, pyoderma can cause hair loss. Rilexine works by inhibiting the nucleopeptide synthesis of the bacterial wall, thus leading to the destruction of bacteria.

Indications

For the treatment of secondary superficial bacterial pyoderma in dogs caused by susceptible strains of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius.

NADA 141-326

View Rilexine Drug Facts Sheet.

The recommended dose is 22 mg/kg (10 mg/lb) of body weight twice daily for 28 days.

Appropriate culture and susceptibility tests should be performed before treatment to determine the causative organism and its susceptibility to cephalexin. Therapy with RILEXINE Chewable Tablets may be initiated before results of these tests are known; once the results become available, antimicrobial therapy should be adjusted accordingly. If acceptable response to treatment is not observed, then the diagnosis should be re-evaluated and appropriate alternative therapy considered.

Quick Tips:

• Always consult with your veterinarian about the appropriate dosage for your dog.
• Tablets are chewable and scored for easy dosing.
• Do not give to dogs with a known allergy to cephalexin or penicillin.

Caution:

Federal (USA) law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

Contraindications:

RILEXINE Chewable Tablets are contraindicated in dogs with a known allergy to cephalexin or to the ß-lactam (any of the penicillins or cephalosporins) group of antibiotics.

Warnings:

Foruse in dogs only. Not for use in humans. Keep this drug out of the reach of children. Antimicrobials, including penicillins and cephalosporins, can cause allergic reactions in sensitized individuals. Sensitized individuals handling such antimicrobials, including cephalexin, should avoid contact of the product with the skin and mucous membranes in order to minimize the risk of allergic reactions.

In case of ingestion by humans contact a physician immediately. Physicians may contact a Poison Control Center for advice concerning cases of ingestion by humans.

To obtain a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), or to report adverse reactions, call Virbac at 1-800-338-3659.

Precautions:

Prescribing antibacterial drugs in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection is unlikely to provide benefit to treated animals and may increase the risk of the development of drug-resistant animal pathogens.

The safe use of RILEXINE Chewable Tablets in dogs intended for breeding and in pregnant or lactating bitches has not been evaluated.

Positive direct Coombs test results and false positive reactions for glucose in the urine have been reported during treatment with some cephalosporin antimicrobials. Cephalosporin antimicrobials may also cause falsely elevated urine protein determinations. Some antimicrobials, including cephalosporins, can cause lowered albumin values due to interference with certain testing methods.

Occasionally, cephalosporins have been associated with myelotoxicity, there by creating a toxic neutropenia1. Other hematological reactions observed with cephalosporin therapy include neutropenia, anemia, hypoprothrombinemia, thrombocytopenia, prolonged prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT), platelet dysfunction, and transient increases in serum aminotransferases.

Possible Side Effects

Diarrhea and rarely antibiotic-associated colitis, nausea and vomiting, abdominal discomfort, headache allergic reactions including rashes, pruritus, urticaria, serum sickness-like reactions with rashes, fever and arthralgia, and anaphylaxis; erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis reported disturbances in liver enzymes, transient hepatitis and cholestatic jaundice other side-effects reported include eosinophilia and blood disorders (including thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, agranulocytosis, aplastic anaemia and haemolytic anaemia) reversible interstitial nephritis, hyperactivity, nervousness, sleep disturbances, confusion, hypertonia, and dizziness. However, at the levels associated with casual exposure, these are unlikely in normal use.

Storage:

Store at 20°C-25°C (68°F-77°F), with excursions permitted between 15°C-30°C (59°F-86°F).