Does Cephalexin Interact With Metformin?
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Metformin: increased metformin concentrations.
Severity: Minor
Severity basis: drug interactions section. Combining Cephalexin (Cephalosporin antibiotic) and Metformin (Biguanide antidiabetic) is classified as a minor interaction.
What to Do
This is generally a minor interaction, but review it with your pharmacist to be sure it is safe for you.
How This Interaction Works
Interactions like this one can happen when two medicines have overlapping effects, or when one changes how the other is absorbed, broken down, or cleared from the body. Cephalexin is a cephalosporin antibiotic and Metformin is a biguanide antidiabetic; together they are documented as a minor interaction. How much this matters depends on your dose, your other medications, and your overall health.
If You Take Both Medications
If you have been prescribed both Cephalexin and Metformin, do not start, stop, or change either medication on your own — some medicines are unsafe to stop suddenly. Tell your prescriber and pharmacist that you take both so they can decide whether the combination is right for you, adjust the dose, monitor you more closely, or suggest an alternative.
From the FDA Label
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Metformin: increased metformin concentrations.
Source: FDA structured product labeling (set_id 02b5cd6f-3df8-43c1-879d-217fcf55231a).
Check these against your full medication list in our free Interaction Checker
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take Cephalexin and Metformin together?
Cephalexin and Metformin have a documented minor interaction. This is generally a minor interaction, but review it with your pharmacist to be sure it is safe for you.
How serious is the Cephalexin and Metformin interaction?
It is classified as a minor interaction, based on the FDA label's drug interactions section. A minor interaction is usually limited in effect but is still worth discussing with your care team.
What should I do if I'm taking both Cephalexin and Metformin?
If you have been prescribed both Cephalexin and Metformin, do not start, stop, or change either medication on your own — some medicines are unsafe to stop suddenly. Tell your prescriber and pharmacist that you take both so they can decide whether the combination is right for you, adjust the dose, monitor you more closely, or suggest an alternative.
This information is educational — not medical advice.
This page is provided for general educational purposes and summarizes publicly available data from sources such as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. It is not a substitute for the judgment of a licensed clinician and should not be used to start, stop, or change any medication. It may be incomplete or out of date, and individual circumstances vary. Always talk with your prescriber or pharmacist about your specific medications and health conditions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911.