Low-risk cefalexin allergies are associated with inpatient prescribing of second-line non-beta-lactam antibiotics

Abstract Background Cefalexin is a commonly prescribed oral antibiotic, with similar side chain to amoxicillin. The objectives of this study were (1) describe the frequency and nature previously recorded cefalexin adverse reaction (AR) labels in electronic medical record (EMR) inpatient cohort, (2) evaluate accuracy these (3) examine association between allergy label antibiotics during an admission. Methods Consecutive admissions under general medicine tertiary hospital over 1-year period included retrospective cohort study. Data regarding history, admission collected from EMR. descriptions reviewed using expert criteria determine whether described was most consistent or intolerance. Results number 12,134. Of 224 (1.9%) AR, 196 (87.5%) had 28 (12.5%) Following application criteria, 43 (21.9%) found be presence low-risk associated increased likelihood receiving non-penicillin including clindamycin ciprofloxacin. Conclusion AR are common, frequently incorrectly classified consequences for in-hospital antibiotic prescribing antimicrobial stewardship.