Drug & supplement interaction

Chlorophyllin + Cephalexin

Cephalexin brand names: Keflex, Keftab, Cephalex, Lexin.

No Known Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated July 2026 · Pair last verified Sep 13, 2026
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Chlorophyllin and Cephalexin in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first.

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Interaction report

Chlorophyllin and Cephalexin

We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.

No Known Interaction Found

We did not find a documented interaction between Cephalexin and Chlorophyllin in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.

If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.

Chlorophyllin safety at a glance

Chlorophyllin overall Use caution Generally well tolerated short-term, but quality evidence and long-term safety data are limited.
Pregnancy Avoid Not enough reliable safety data, so it is best to avoid use during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Avoid Safety while breastfeeding is unknown, so avoidance is the safer choice.

Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Still wondering about combining Cephalexin and Chlorophyllin? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Cephalexin

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Cephalexin is filed under 7 classifications — including organic anion transporter 3 (oat3) substrates, organic anion transporter 1 (oat1) substrates, antibiotic drugs. Chlorophyllin has documented interactions with 1 drug class — the most serious being photosensitizing drugs (moderate) — and none of Cephalexin’s classifications are among them.

Classification data comes from our licensed Natural Medicines dataset. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded there, so this describes how the check was run — it is not a safety guarantee.

Keep it in perspective

Chlorophyllin Does Interact With Other Medications

Chlorophyllin has 335 moderate known drug interactions in our database — Cephalexin isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 335 No known interaction 2,495 (incl. Cephalexin)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Chlorophyllin

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Chlorophyllin. Pick one to open its full report.

What to actually watch for

What Chlorophyllin Itself Has Been Linked To

This is not an interaction — nothing below involves Cephalexin. It is the side-effect record for Chlorophyllin on its own, from the licensed Natural Medicines monograph. If something new turns up after you add Chlorophyllin, this list is the first place to look.

  • Sun sensitivity / A skin rash Additional detail

    “Since chlorophyllin is a semi-synthetic derivative of chlorophyll, there is some concern that it could cause similar adverse effects. Topically, chlorophyll cream has been reported to cause dermatitis. Orally, chlorophyll can cause photosensitization. In case reports, oral consumption of chlorophyll has been associated with the development of pseudoporphyria.”

    Chlorophyllin · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in dermatitis.

    5 sources cited
    1. 41912. Belen'kii, G. B. and Krikun, B. L. [Treatment of herpes simplex and herpes zoster by chlorophyll preparations]. Sov.Med. 1971;34(1):151-152.
    2. 1326. Mathews-Roth MM. Carotenoids in erythropoietic protoporphyria and other photosensitivity diseases. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1993; 691:127-38. PubMed
    3. 93892. Rossi E, Borchard K, Cole JM. Pseudoporphyria following self-medication with chlorophyll. Australas J Dermatol. 2015 Feb;56(1):47-8. PubMed
    4. 97933. Zhao CY, Frew JW, Muhaidat J, et al. Chlorophyll-induced pseudoporphyria with ongoing photosensitivity after cessation - a case series of four patients. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2016;30(7):1239-42. PubMed
    5. 101235. Tomankova K, Kejlova K, Binder S, et al. In vitro cytotoxicity and phototoxicity study of cosmetics colorants. Toxicol In Vitro. 2011 Sep;25(6):1242-50. PubMed

Everything above comes from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record for Chlorophyllin — expand a row for the licensed statement it rests on. We read the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of Cephalexin’s FDA label too, and the two lists don’t meaningfully overlap — which is why no Cephalexin column appears here.

From our Q&A

Questions About Chlorophyllin or Cephalexin

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Chlorophyllin or Cephalexin, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Cephalexin

This page covers Chlorophyllin only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Cephalexin page lists 61 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Asarabacca (major), Siberian Cocklebur (major), African Wild Potato (moderate) and Aristolochia (moderate).

By severity: 3 major · 47 moderate · 11 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Cephalexin page

“Cephalexin (Keflex) is one of the most commonly prescribed oral antibiotics, usually for skin and urinary infections, and its supplement list warrants genuine care rather than a quick skim. Three of the 61 ingredients on file rate major.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Cephalexin interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Chlorophyllin as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 357 real supplement products containing Chlorophyllin, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Chlorophyllin. Even though Chlorophyllin itself has no known interaction with Cephalexin, another ingredient on your label might. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Chlorophyllin and Cephalexin Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Chlorophyllin
Steady interest

#853 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Cephalexin
Top 5%

#67 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Where does our data come from?
  • Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
  • Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Chlorophyllin reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 13, 2026. The Chlorophyllin and Cephalexin records this page draws on were last updated July 10, 2026.
  • What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.
Data structure & sourcing designed and verified by .
Supplement

About Chlorophyllin

What is Chlorophyllin?

Chlorophyllin
  • Body and breath odor control
  • Wound and skin care
  • Internal deodorant for ostomy or incontinence
  • Detoxification claims
  • Digestive support

Chlorophyllin is a water-soluble, semi-synthetic form of chlorophyll most often used to help control body and fecal odor and to support wound healing. The best evidence is for its use as a deodorizing agent, while many popular claims like detoxification and digestive benefits are not well proven. It is generally considered safe for short-term use, but talk to your pharmacist or doctor before starting it, especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Semi-synthetic derivative of chlorophyll (originally from green plant leaves) · Tablets, capsules, liquid drops, topical ointments and sprays

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Chlorophyllin is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Chlorophyllin record says about it on its own.

Chlorophyllin: dosing

There is no official standardized dose for chlorophyllin, and the amount used in studies has varied. Products come in different strengths and forms, so the right amount depends on the specific product and how it is being used.The safest approach is to follow the directions on the product label and not exceed the recommended amount.

From our Chlorophyllin monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Chlorophyllin monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Cephalexin

What Is Cephalexin Used For?

Brand names: Keflex, Keftab, Cephalex, Lexin

Cephalexin treats bacterial infections caused by susceptible strains of bacteria. It is used for respiratory tract infections, ear infections (otitis media), skin and skin structure infections, bone infections, and genitourinary tract infections — including acute prostatitis.

It works only against bacterial infections — not viruses like colds or flu. Your prescriber should use it only when a bacterial infection is confirmed or strongly suspected, to help prevent antibiotic resistance.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Cephalexin

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (0 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Chronic kidney disease 2,157 reports
Renal failure 1,558 reports
Acute kidney injury 1,550 reports
Diarrhea 1,405 reports
Fatigue 1,303 reports
See full Cephalexin drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Chlorophyllin

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Chlorophyllin — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
335Moderate
0Minor
2,494No known interaction
335 Moderate 2,494 No interaction
Moderate

335 interactions

Showing 60 of 335 moderate interactions — see all 335 on the Chlorophyllin page.

No interaction 2,494 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Chlorophyllin against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,494 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Chlorophyllin list.

See the full Chlorophyllin interactions page
See every supplement checked against Cephalexin, ranked by severity
Evidence & sources

Chlorophyllin References

The 6 references that drive our Chlorophyllin monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. Nahata MC, Slencsak CA, Kamp J. Effect of chlorophyllin on urinary odor in incontinent geriatric patients. Drug Intell Clin Pharm 1983;17:732-4. PubMed
  2. Mathews-Roth MM. Carotenoids in erythropoietic protoporphyria and other photosensitivity diseases. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1993; 691:127-38. PubMed
  3. Belen'kii, G. B. and Krikun, B. L. [Treatment of herpes simplex and herpes zoster by chlorophyll preparations]. Sov.Med. 1971;34(1):151-152.
  4. Rossi E, Borchard K, Cole JM. Pseudoporphyria following self-medication with chlorophyll. Australas J Dermatol. 2015 Feb;56(1):47-8. PubMed
  5. Zhao CY, Frew JW, Muhaidat J, et al. Chlorophyll-induced pseudoporphyria with ongoing photosensitivity after cessation - a case series of four patients. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2016;30(7):1239-42. PubMed
  6. Tomankova K, Kejlova K, Binder S, et al. In vitro cytotoxicity and phototoxicity study of cosmetics colorants. Toxicol In Vitro. 2011 Sep;25(6):1242-50. PubMed

Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Chlorophyllin and Cephalexin Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Chlorophyllin with Cephalexin?
We do not list a known interaction between Chlorophyllin and Cephalexin. That does not guarantee the combination is risk-free, so confirm with your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.
How was the Chlorophyllin and Cephalexin combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Cephalexin is filed under 7 classifications, and Chlorophyllin has documented interactions with 1 drug class — none of Cephalexin's classifications are among them. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded in our dataset, so this describes how the check was run rather than guaranteeing safety.
Does Chlorophyllin interact with any other medications?
Yes. Chlorophyllin has 335 documented drug interactions in our database — Cephalexin is simply not one of them. If you take anything else, it is worth checking each one; they are all listed on this page.
Does Cephalexin interact with any supplements?
Yes. Cephalexin has documented interactions with 61 supplements in our database — Chlorophyllin is not one of them. The Cephalexin interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Where next

Keep Exploring

Chlorophyllin monograph Uses, safety profile, and every drug interaction in one place Cephalexin drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Cephalexin supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Cephalexin, ranked by severity Supplement interaction checker Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z Every drug we’ve checked against herbs & supplements References The 6 citations behind this page Ask a pharmacist Free, personal answer from our licensed team

Still Have a Question About Cephalexin and Chlorophyllin?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.