Cloxacillin

Cloxacillin is a penicillinase-resistant penicillin (anti-staphylococcal antibiotic) medicine available in Bangladesh under many brand names. Below are its uses, dosage, side effects and precautions — and all brands with their current prices.

Cloxacillin is prescribed by doctors mainly for staphylococcal infections, including:

• Skin and soft-tissue infections — boils, abscesses, cellulitis and infected wounds
• Infected cuts, burns and surgical wounds
• Bone and joint infections
• Breast infection (mastitis) in some cases

It targets bacteria that produce penicillinase, so it is chosen when staph is the likely cause. Your doctor decides if cloxacillin is right for your infection.

The dose of Cloxacillin depends on the type and severity of the infection. The details below are a general guide only.

• Adults: a usual course runs for 7 to 14 days, with capsules commonly taken four times a day.
• Children: the dose is calculated by body weight and must be set by a doctor.

Take Cloxacillin on an empty stomach — about one hour before or two hours after food — with a full glass of water, as food reduces how much is absorbed. Space your doses evenly and finish the whole course even if you feel better.

Cloxacillin is usually well tolerated, but side effects can include:

• Common: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and mild stomach upset
• Less common: skin rash, itching and a sore mouth
• Serious (seek urgent help): signs of a serious allergic reaction such as widespread rash, swelling of the face, lips or throat and difficulty breathing; severe or bloody diarrhoea; or yellowing of the skin or eyes

Penicillin allergies can be serious. Stop the medicine and get emergency help if you develop swelling or breathing difficulty.

Cloxacillin is a prescription-only antibiotic. Take it only when a registered doctor prescribes it — never self-medicate, share it, or use leftover capsules for a new problem.

• Complete the full course even if the infection looks better after a few days, so all the staph bacteria are cleared.
• Antibiotic resistance is a serious and growing crisis in Bangladesh. Resistant staph infections are increasingly hard to treat, and misuse of antibiotics makes this worse.
• Tell your doctor about any penicillin allergy — this is essential before taking cloxacillin.
• Take it on an empty stomach and mention any kidney problems.

Give your doctor a full list of your medicines and supplements. Cloxacillin can interact with:

• Probenecid — raises cloxacillin levels in the blood
• Methotrexate — its level and toxicity may increase
• Oral typhoid vaccine — antibiotics can make it less effective
• It may slightly affect how some oral contraceptives work

Cloxacillin has relatively few interactions, but always tell your doctor or pharmacist what else you are taking before starting or adding any medicine.

Do not take Cloxacillin if you:

• Are allergic to penicillin or to any other beta-lactam antibiotic
• Have had a previous severe reaction to cloxacillin, flucloxacillin or related drugs

Use with caution and medical supervision if you have kidney or liver problems, or a history of allergies and asthma. Always tell your doctor your full allergy and medical history before starting.

Cloxacillin and similar penicillins have been widely used and are generally considered acceptable in pregnancy when a doctor decides treatment is needed, but it should only be taken on medical advice.

Small amounts pass into breast milk and it is usually regarded as compatible with breastfeeding, though the baby may rarely have loose motions or thrush. If you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding, tell your doctor before taking Cloxacillin so the safest choice can be made for you and your baby.

Store Cloxacillin in a cool, dry place below 30°C, away from sunlight and moisture.

• Keep capsules in their original pack.
• Reconstituted syrup usually needs refrigeration — follow the label and discard after the stated period.
• Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
• Do not use after the expiry date; return unused medicine to a pharmacy for safe disposal.