Cephalosporins
- Vitamin K
- Supplementation Possibly Helpful
En Español (Spanish Version)These antibiotics work somewhat similarly to penicillin, but have been chemically modified to have a broader spectrum of effect.
Drugs in this family include
- cefadroxil (Duricef)
- cephalexin (Cefanex, Keflex, Keftab, Biocef)
- cephradine (Velosef)
- cefaclor (Ceclor, Ceclor CD)
- cefprozil (Cefzil)
- cefuroxime (Ceftin)
- loracarbef (Lorabid)
- cefdinir (Omnicef)
- cefixime (Suprax)
- cefpodoxime proxetil (Vantin)
- ceftibuten (Cedax)
- and others
Supplementation Possibly Helpful
Like all other antibiotics, cephalosporins might interfere with vitamin K levels by killing vitamin K–producing bacteria in the intestines. In addition, antibiotics in the cephalosporin family may also interfere with the way vitamin K works.
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For this reason, taking extra vitamin K may be a good idea when using cephalosporins over the long term.
Shils M, et al. (eds.). Modern nutrition in health and disease, 9th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1999: 1634.
Last Reviewed August 2011