Medicines
Infections
Antibacterial drugs
Cefalexin

Cefalexin

Infections Antibacterial drugs BNF 0501021L0

Data updated May 2026 Download CSV

Cefalexin was ranked 208th of 1,792 medicines by items in May 2026, with 74,615 items, up 1.9% on a year earlier.

74,615items +1.9%

Dispensed in May 2026

933,545items

Rolling 12 months

£235,083

Net ingredient cost · May 2026

Figure 1. Cefalexin: national items dispensed by month

Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to May 2026

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<iframe src="https://pharmainsight.co.uk/embed/medicines/cefalexin-0501021l0" width="100%" height="280" style="border:0" loading="lazy" title="Cefalexin: NHS prescribing in England — PharmaInsight"></iframe>

At a glance

Therapeutic class Antibacterial drugs
Presentations 9 shown
Average cost / item £3.15
Year on year Up 1.9% on a year earlier

What this is

Net ingredient cost is the list price before discounts and dispensing fees, not what the NHS finally pays.

Top presentations, May 2026

The individual products dispensed under Cefalexin this month.

Presentations of Cefalexin, May 2026
Presentation	BNF code	Items	Net ingredient cost
Cefalexin 500mg capsules	0501021L0AAABAB	36,500	£67,226
Cefalexin 250mg capsules	0501021L0AAAAAA	14,046	£23,248
Cefalexin 500mg tablets	0501021L0AAAHAH	8,091	£21,107
Cefalexin 250mg tablets	0501021L0AAAGAG	7,942	£25,481
Cefalexin 125mg/5ml oral suspension	0501021L0AAACAC	2,722	£36,486
Cefalexin 250mg/5ml oral suspension	0501021L0AAADAD	2,698	£37,493
Cefalexin 125mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free	0501021L0AAANAN	1,405	£12,327
Cefalexin 250mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free	0501021L0AAAPAP	1,210	£11,712
Ceporex 250mg tablets	0501021L0BBACAG	1	£3

Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis · to May 2026 OGL v3.0

Where Cefalexin is dispensed

The regions and dispensing practices with the highest Cefalexin volumes.

Top regions

Top dispensing practices

Regional volumes from NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis; practice volumes from NHS dispensing data.

Compare Cefalexin with

Other medicines in the same BNF section, by prescribing volume.

Cefalexin vs Amoxicillin Cefalexin vs Nitrofurantoin Cefalexin vs Doxycycline hyclate Cefalexin vs Flucloxacillin sodium Cefalexin vs Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V)