Flucloxacillin

Flucloxacillin is an antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. It is effective in infections of the throat, ear, nasal sinuses, respiratory tract, skin and soft tissue, bones and joints and blood. Flucloxacillin is a penicillin-type of antibiotic, which mainly fights and stops the growth of the gram-positive type of bacteria.

Flucloxacillin inhibits the 3rd and last step of bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to specific penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located inside the bacterial cell wall. It is active against penicillinase-producing and non-penicillinase-producing staphylococci.

• Skin and Soft Tissue Infections: Boils, abscess, carbuncles, infected skin conditions, cellulitis, infected wounds, burns, otitis media and externa, impetigo.
• Respiratory Tract Infections: Pneumonia, lung abscess, empyema, sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, quinsy.
• Other Infections: Osteomyelitis, enteritis, endocarditis, urinary tract infection, meningitis, septicaemia.

Narrow spectrum penicillin

Isoxazolyl Penicillin (Penicillinase-resistant)

Flucloxacillin is active against Gram-positive organisms including penicillinase producing strains. Flucloxacillin acts by inhibiting the formation of cell wall of bacteria. Flucloxacillin is isoxazolyl penicillin which combined the properties of resistance to hydrolysis by penicillinase, gastric acid stability and activity against gram-positive bacteria.

Flucloxacillin binds to penicillin-binding proteins on the bacterial cell wall, inhibiting peptidoglycan synthesis, which weakens the cell wall and causes bacterial cell lysis.

Adult Dose (Oral):

• 250-500 mg 3-4 times daily; dosage may be doubled in severe infections.
• Osteomyelitis and endocarditis: up to 8 g/day in 6-8 hourly divided doses.

Adult Dose (Parenteral):

• IV: 0.25-1 g 4 times/day; may double in severe cases.
• IM: 250 mg 4 times daily.

Child Dose (2-10 years): Half of adult dose; (<2 years): One fourth of adult dose.

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor; do not chew, crush or break it. Oral doses should be administered 1 hour before meal.

If you miss a dose of Flucloxacillin, take it as soon as possible; however, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.

Common Side Effects:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Allergic reaction
• Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)
• Rash, urticaria
• Fever

Precautions:

• Flucloxacillin does not usually affect your ability to drive.
• Prescribed for bacterial infections; finish the prescribed course (do not stop early even if feeling better).
• Diarrhea may occur as a side effect; should stop when course is complete; inform doctor if blood in stools.
• Inform doctor immediately if itchy rash, swelling of face, throat or tongue, or breathing difficulties occur.
• Use with caution in patients with hepatic dysfunction and allergic diathesis.

Contraindications:

• Penicillin hypersensitivity
• Porphyria

Drug Interactions:

• Methotrexate: May increase risk of toxicity.
• Estrogen-containing oral contraceptives: May decrease efficacy.
• Probenecid: Increases plasma concentrations.
• Bacteriostatic drugs (chloramphenicol, tetracycline): May interfere with bactericidal effect.

Food Interactions: It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Flucloxacillin; consult your doctor.

Use in Pregnancy: Category B; generally considered safe during pregnancy; animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects.

Use in Lactation: Flucloxacillin is excreted in human milk; use with caution; breastfeeding should be held until treatment is completed.

Pediatric Use: Child dose: 2-10 years: half of adult dose; <2 years: one fourth of adult dose.

Geriatric Use: No specific dosage adjustment is necessary for elderly patients.

Renal Impairment: Severe renal failure (CrCl <10 mL/min): dose reduction or dose interval extension should be considered.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution in patients with hepatic dysfunction.

Overdose: Limited information on overdose; symptomatic treatment.

Storage: Keep in a dry place away from light and heat. Keep out of reach of children.

Flucloxacillin