Antibiotics (Ceflexin) safe in first trimester?

[Peasandyoghurt]

I'm 6 weeks pregnant and I've been prescibed 'Keeflex' (Ceflexin) 500mg antibiotics for a UTI. I was seen by a student GP, who was very lovely, but didn't inspire too much confidence... Quick google search by DP has found Keeflex has apparently been tested on pregnant animals but not humans(!) He also found something about taking it only if the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the fetus... I'm pretty uncomfortable, but not dying! Has anybody had any experience of this/ any opinions?

Also, weirdly, I've got the most awful burning/'bearing down' feeling just above pubic bone, which feels worse when need to pee and post-peeing, but when doc did dip test on wee sample, it didn't flag anything up... So maybe it's not even a UTI at all? Anything else it could be... ?

Hi can't help with your symptoms as I never had any but was prescribed ceflexin in early pregnancy for a UTI. I had no problems with it and am now 40 weeks pregnant. I wouldn't worry too much. Better to have the antibiotics than the UTI, which in my opinion was part of the reason I had a miscarriage at 6 weeks last year. Good luck and try not to worry.

You won't find any medicine that's been tested on pregnant women, the ethcis of it would just be too difficult. But honestly, if I were you I'd just take it. Anything you will be prescribed in pregnancy will be on the basis that it's benefits to you outweigh the risks to the fetus. I'm fine with that stance, I've taken all sorts of medication I needed during 3 pregnancies now.

I was given cefalexin for a uti at 27 weeks. Seems to be the bog standard antibiotic they start off with. Made me sick as a dog though. But was preferable to the crippling pain of a uti!

I've had to take 4 5 day courses of Cefalexin during my pregnancy and have been on 250mg a day since 28 weeks due to a history of recurrent UTIs. I'm 34 weeks now and my baby is growing nicely and no problems have been detected.The way it has been explained to me is that during pregnancy a UTI is far more likely to ascend to your kidney as the progesterone slackens the muscles controlling the bladder and supporting the tubes from the kidneys to the bladder. Kidney infections are much nastier that UTIs and so your body ramps up your immune system reaction and starts fighting all foreign bodies. As your baby is 50% foreign to your body it means the risk of miscarriage is increased - I have no idea by how much. I've found it very frustrating too as my UTIs are always asymptomatic - I just grow bacteria, but I decided to follow the advice of my doctors and rely on their experience and knowledge. I'm sure you would be fine with 1 course of Cefalexin and you might be a lot more comfortable. I haven't experienced any problems as a result so far. Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks very much all. First pill now popped. Pretty scary the thought of my body 'fighting' my precious little bean away!!!

Oh no! I didn't mean to scare you. I'm sure all will be fine. just to pass on the info i've been given. I'm sure all will be fine. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy x

I've had cefalexin (also 2 other sort of anti0biotics this pregnancy!) all for a UTI that wouldn't shift.
I think Cefalexin was the one that gave me a horrible taste in the mouth. UTI's in pregnancy can be uncomfortable but they can also cause problems in early and late pregnancy.
Did they send a sample away to be tested in the lab?
Mine has eventually gone- lots of pineapple juice seemed to help!

Ha, no worries DieDeutsch! It was definitely the kick up the bum I needed - I knew I should be taking them really, I'm just so scared of everything at the moment - this is the second prescription I've got in as many weeks that I've got home and decided I couldn't use (last week I got a pessary for thrush and was horrified by the thought of 'inserting' something, so in my drawer it still sits!) I definitely think taking the antibiotics is the right thing to do though - I'm getting quite a lot of pain and general discomfort which I think (hope!) is all UTI related.

Snowy, I'll def be giving the pineapple juice a go and yes they've sent it away to the lab, so hopefully we'll know for sure what's going on next week...

hello. I don't know about the antibiotics, but would get some good food state cranberry caps just in case you feel that twinge again in the future. They work brilliantly I remember reading that they were just as effective as antibiotics (so you could try these quickly first depending on how bad it is, although not if there is any risk in waiting)? The juice is just full of sugar but the caps are packed full of the cranberry goodies. hope you feel better soon x

Thanks guys. Bit of an update - got the results of my lab results today and they haven't picked up any infection at all! This is weird because the bladder pain is still there and now I've got absolutely no idea what it means!

Anyway, I'm wondering, if there's no infection do we think there's any point in completing my course of antibiotics? I'm hating taking them mostly because of morning sickness and they make me feel sick to take, but also because of the general worry of taking anything while pregnant. I know you should never normally stop antibiotics half way through course because infection can come back stronger, but if I have no infection in the first place... ?