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- $Unique_ID{BRK03262}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{oxacillin}
- $Subject{Bactocill Beecham Prostaphlin Bristol Penicillin antibiotic oxacillin
- bacterial infections Staphylococcus bacteria injuring cell membranes}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- oxacillin
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- Bactocill (Beecham)
- Prostaphlin (Bristol)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Penicillin antibiotic
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- oxacillin
-
- DOSAGE FORMS
-
- Capsules (250 mg and 500 mg)
- Oral solution (250 mg per 5-ml spoonful)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Oxacillin capsules should be stored at room temperature in a tightly
- closed container. The oral solution should be stored in the refrigerator in a
- tightly closed container. Any unused portion of the solution should be
- discarded after 14 days. This medication should never be frozen.
-
- USES
-
- Oxacillin is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections,
- especially those involving Staphylococcus bacteria. This medication acts by
- severely injuring the cell membranes of the infecting bacteria, thereby
- preventing them from growing and multiplying. Oxacillin kills susceptible
- bacteria, but it is not effective against viruses, parasites, or fungi.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- Oxacillin 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 oral solution should be measured carefully with a specially designed
- 5-ml measuring spoon. An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not accurate enough.
- Oxacillin 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.
- If you do not remember to take the missed dose until it is almost time for
- your next dose, take it immediately, space the following dose about halfway
- through the regular interval between doses, and then return to your regular
- dosing schedule. Try not to skip any doses.
- It is important to continue to take this medication for the entire time
- prescribed by your doctor (usually seven to 14 days), even if the symptoms of
- infection disappear before the end of that period. If you stop taking the
- drug too soon, resistant 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 the 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, difficult
- or painful urination, fever, irritation of the mouth, muscle aches, rash,
- rectal or vaginal itching, severe diarrhea, sore throat, or yellowing of the
- eyes or skin. Also, if your symptoms of infection seem to be getting worse
- rather than improving, you should contact your doctor.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Oxacillin interacts with other types of medications:
- 1. Probenecid can increase the blood concentrations of this medication.
- 2. Oxacillin may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills, and
- pregnancy could result. You should, therefore, use another form of birth
- control while taking this drug. Discuss alternatives with your doctor.
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
- taking, especially any listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- any medications, especially to oxacillin, other penicillins, 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. Therefore, 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 oxacillin should know that this drug can cause a
- false-positive sugar reaction with a Clinitest urine glucose test. To avoid
- this problem while taking oxacillin, 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 oxacillin
- 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.
-