Cephalexin

Cephalexin	Last updated: 30/08/2023
(Also known as: cefalexin; ceporexin-E; cephanasten; cophalexin; CEX)

Data alerts

The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement.

Environmental fate	Ecotoxicity	Human health
		Human health High alert: Reproduction/development effects Warning: Significant data are missing

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A broad spectrum antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections of the skin, urinary tract, respiratory tract, bones and joints.

Availability status

Introduction & key dates

1967

Examples of species treated

Dogs, Cats, Cattle, Pigs, Sheep

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Chemical formula

C₁₆H₁₇N₃O₄S

Canonical SMILES

CC1=C(N2C(C(C2=O)NC(=O)C(C3=CC=CC=C3)N)SC1)C(=O)O

Isomeric SMILES

CC1=C(N2[C@@H]([C@@H](C2=O)NC(=O)[C@@H](C3=CC=CC=C3)N)SC1)C(=O)O

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

ZAIPMKNFIOOWCQ-UEKVPHQBSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C16H17N3O4S/c1-8-7-24-15-11(14(21)19(15)12(8)16(22)23)18-13(20)10(17)9-5-3-2-4-6-9/h2-6,10-11,15H,7,17H2,1H3,(H,18,20)(H,22,23)/t10-,11-,15-/m1/s1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
Cephalexin hydrate	-

General status

Veterinary substance type

Antibiotic, Medicinal drug, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial

Substance groups

Cephalosporin

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Semi-synthetic

Mode of action

Interferes with the bacteria's cell wall formation, causing it to rupture, and killing the bacteria.

Molecular targets

[Penicillin-binding protein 3, antagonist], [Penicillin-binding protein 2a, antagonist], [Penicillin-binding protein 1b, antagonist], [Penicillin-binding protein 2B, antagonist], [Penicillin-binding protein 1A, antagonist]

CAS RN

15686-71-2

EC number

239-773-6

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

27447

ATCvet Code

QJ51DA01

Therapeutic Class

Antiinfectants for systemic use: Antibacterials for intramammary use

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Allowed substance (Table 1: Bovine)

Molecular mass

347.39

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

(6R,7R)-7-{[(2R)-2-amino-2-phenylacetyl]amino}- 3-methyl-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene- 2-carboxylic acid

CAS name

7-(D-2-amino-2-phenylacetamido)-3-methyl-delta(sup 3)-cephem-4-carboxylic acid

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

White crystalline powder

Formulations

Property

Product

Manufacturer

Authorisation Route

UK Legal Class

Example products using this active

Cefaseptin 120 mg film-coated tablets

Vetoquinol UK Ltd

UK National authorisation

Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

Cephacare flavour 50 mg tablets for cats and dogs

Animalcare Ltd

EU Mutually recognised procedure

Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

Cephorum Film Coated Tablets 500 mg

Forum Products Ltd

UK National authorisation

Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

Ceporex Vet Oral Drops, Granules for Oral Suspension 1000mg for cats and dogs

Schering-Plough Ltd

UK National authorisation

Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

Formulation and application details

Available as tablets, capsules and powder for oral suspension

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

1790

High

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Melting point (°C)

197

Boiling point (°C)

727

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

394

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

4.47 X 10⁰⁰

Calculated

Log P

0.65

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

5.2

pKa(2) = 7.3

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

4.31 X 10^-10

Low volatility

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Max: 260nm = 7750

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Refractive Index

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d

K_oc

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f

K_foc

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 20000

Rat

Low

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic plants - Acute 7 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute 72 hour EC₅₀, growth (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 20000

Rat

Low

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

Intraperitoneal LD₅₀ = 4000 mg kg⁻¹

Rat

Subcutaneous LD₅₀ > 6100 mg kg⁻¹

Rat

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Majority (~80-90%) is excreted unchanged in urine within 6 hours of administration, remainder lost in bile and faeces

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

No data found

; ; ; ;

No data found

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

May cause diarrhoea, dizziness, headache, indigestion, joint pain, stomach pain and tiredness

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Hazardous combustion or decomposition products are produced in a fire

CLP classification 2013

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

cephalexin

French

cefalexine

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

cefalexina

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	30/08/2023
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242