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- $Unique_ID{BRK03125}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{dicloxacillin}
- $Subject{Dicloxacil Goldline sodium Dycill Beecham Dynapen Bristol Pathocil
- Wyeth Penicillin antibiotic dicloxacillin bacterial infections Staphylococcus
- bacteria}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- dicloxacillin
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- Dicloxacil (Goldline)
- dicloxacillin sodium (various manufacturers)
- Dycill (Beecham)
- Dynapen (Bristol)
- Pathocil (Wyeth)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Penicillin antibiotic
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- dicloxacillin
-
- DOSAGE FORMS
-
- Capsules (125 mg, 250 mg, and 500 mg)
- Oral suspension (62.5 mg per 5-ml spoonful)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Dicloxacillin capsules should be stored at room temperature in a tightly
- closed container. The oral suspension should be stored in the refrigerator in
- a tightly closed container. Any unused portion of the suspension should be
- discarded after 14 days because the drug loses its potency after that time.
- This medication should never be frozen.
-
- USES
-
- Dicloxacillin is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections,
- especially those caused by Staphylococcus bacteria. It acts by severely
- injuring the cell membranes of the infecting bacteria, thereby preventing them
- from growing and multiplying. Dicloxacillin kills susceptible bacteria, but
- it is not effective against viruses, parasites, or fungi.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- Dicloxacillin should be taken on an empty stomach or with a glass of
- water, one hour before or two hours after a meal. This medication should
- never be taken with fruit juices or carbonated beverages, because the acidity
- of these drinks destroys the drug in the stomach.
- The suspension form of this medication should be shaken well just before
- measuring each dose. The contents tend to settle at the bottom of the bottle,
- so it is necessary to shake the container to distribute the ingredients evenly
- and equalize the doses. Each dose should then be measured carefully with a
- specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon. An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not
- accurate enough.
- Dicloxacillin works best when the level of medicine in your bloodstream
- is kept constant. It is best, therefore, to take the doses at evenly spaced
- intervals day and night. For example, if you are taking four doses a day, the
- doses should be spaced six hours apart.
- If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose immediately.
- However, if you do not remember to take the missed dose until it is almost
- time for your next dose, take it; space the following dose about halfway
- through the regular interval between doses; then return to your regular
- schedule. Try not to skip any doses.
- It is important for you to continue to take this medication for the
- entire time prescribed by your doctor (usually seven to 14 days), even if the
- symptoms of your infection disappear before the end of that period. If you
- stop taking the drug too soon, bacteria are given a chance to continue
- growing, and the infection could recur.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, or vomiting. These side effects should
- disappear as your body adjusts to this particular drug.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- bloating, chills, cough, darkened tongue, difficulty in breathing, fever,
- irritation of the mouth, muscle aches, rash, rectal or vaginal itching, severe
- diarrhea, or sore throat. In addition, if the symptoms of your infection seem
- to be getting worse rather than improving, you should contact your doctor.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Dicloxacillin interacts with other types of medications:
- 1. Probenecid can increase the blood concentrations and side effects of
- this medication.
- 2. Dicloxacillin may decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives
- (birth control pills), and pregnancy could result. You should, therefore, use
- a different or additional form of birth control while taking this medication.
- Discuss this with your doctor.
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
- taking, especially any of those listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- any medications, especially to dicloxacillin or penicillins, or to
- cephalosporin antibiotics, penicillamine, or griseofulvin.
- * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had kidney
- disease, asthma, or allergies.
- * This medication has been prescribed for your current infection only.
- Another infection later on, or one that someone else has, may require a
- different medicine. You should not give your medicine to other people or use
- it for other infections, unless your doctor specifically directs you to do so.
- * Diabetics taking dicloxacillin should know that this drug can cause
- interference with a Clinitest urine glucose test. To avoid this problem while
- taking dicloxacillin, you should switch to Clinistix or Tes-Tape to test your
- urine for sugar.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Although
- dicloxacillin appears to be safe during pregnancy, extensive studies in humans
- have not been conducted. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an
- infant. Small amounts of this medication pass into breast milk and may
- temporarily alter the bacterial balance in the intestinal tract of the nursing
- infant, resulting in diarrhea.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-