Diesel smelling antibiotics

[zomg]

Bit of a funny one... But has anybody noticed the horrid smell that comes with some (most in my experience) antibiotics? The ones I am currently on Ialex (cephalexin) smell and taste what I think is diesel ahah.

Anyone got an explanation as to why they smell the way they do? And has anyone else thought the same?

 

[Mr Blonde]

I believe it has to do with the sulfur atom on the hexene ring. Other beta-lactam antibiotics containing a sulfur atom also tend to be odorous.