Cloxacillin

Cloxacillin is an antibiotic of the group penicillins. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This medicine can kill bacteria that other penicillins cannot. You cannot buy this medicine without a prescription from your healthcare provider.

Cloxacillin is a drug that treats bacterial infections in your body. It cannot treat viral or parasitic infections. Do not use this drug if you are allergic to it or any other kind of penicillin.

• Cloxacillin is available as a tablet (taken by mouth) or injection directly into your blood or muscle. The amount of this drug that you will use is calculated based on your weight and the type of infection. You should not use more or less than is recommended.
• It is best to use cloxacillin tablets on an empty stomach, this is usually about 1 or 2 hours after eating. You should also drink a lot of water when using this drug.
• Make sure you complete your dosage. If you do not complete your dose, your illness can come back or you may have a worse infection.
• In case you miss a dose, take your drugs as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, then wait till the next dose. Do not double dose for any reason. Take your drugs at the same time every day to avoid missed doses.

If you use too much cloxacillin and then start to feel faint or breathless, get medical care as soon as possible. Other symptoms of a cloxacillin overdose that require prompt treatment include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea.
• Peeing a lot less than usual.
• Seizures.

While using cloxacillin, you may experience one or more of the following side-effects:

• Skin rash, itching or bruising.
• Abdominal pain, nausea and severe diarrhoea.
• Fever, tiredness and confusion.
• Black, hairy tongue.
• White patches in your mouth.
• Sneezing or wheezing.

If you have difficulty breathing, itching or swelling of the tongue or neck region, or dizziness, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

• Don’t use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it or any penicillin. Also inform your healthcare provider about allergies to other medicines like cephalosporins.
• Do not get any immunization while using this medication, especially the BCG or typhoid vaccine. It can cause them not to work.
• Inform your healthcare provider of any medicines you are currently using. Medications like blood thinners and other antibiotics can affect the action of cloxacillin.
• If you have kidney or liver disease, inform your provider. It may affect how much of this drug you should use and for how long.
• Older people and newborns are more likely to have side effects from using this medication.
• Using this medicine for extended periods may cause fungal infections or even other types of bacterial infections.
• If you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant or breastfeeding, you must let your provider know. The effect of this drug on children in the womb is not known, but it can get into the breast milk.