Cloxacillin
Description
Cloxacillin is a penicillin-like antibiotic used for treating bacterial infections of the skin, bone, heart valves, blood, lungs, etc. caused by susceptible bacteria. This medicine is not recommended for treating common cold, flu or other viral infections since it is not effective in treating them.
QUICK LINKS:
Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Cloxacillin
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Sore mouth and tongue
- Yellowing of skin and eyes
- Flatulence
- Wheezing
- Rash
Uses of Cloxacillin
What is it prescribed for?
- Bacterial infections
- Endocarditis
- Osteomyelitis
- Pneumonia
- Septic arthritis
Read More
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of this medicine can be observed within 30 minutes after an oral administration; the effect is rapid on intravenous administration.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 6 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. If the medicine is used, the infant should be monitored closely for any adverse effects.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to cloxacillin or any other antibiotic of the penicillin or cephalosporin group.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. If the medicine is used, the infant should be monitored closely for any adverse effects.
General warnings
Sodium
This medicine contains sodium and therefore it should be used carefully in patients requiring sodium restriction (patients with congestive heart failure, hypertension, fluid retention, etc). Close monitoring of electrolytes levels and vital signs may be necessary for some patients. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea
Discontinue the use of this medicine as per the doctor's instructions if severe diarrhea occurs after receiving this medicine. This medicine may cause an imbalance in the microbial flora of the large intestine, decreasing the gut-friendly bacteria and promoting the growth of a bacteria called Clostridium difficile, resulting in severe diarrhea.
Drug-resistance
Usage of this medicine without sufficient proof or suspicion of a bacterial infection should be avoided. Irrational dosing might fail in providing the benefits and even cause toxicity. It may also increase the risk of development of bacteria that are drug resistant.
Hypersensitivity reactions
This medicine may cause serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylactic shock in some patients. This risk is especially high in patients with a history of sensitivity to multiple allergens. If an anaphylactic reaction occurs, the treatment should be discontinued immediately and appropriate corrective measures should be undertaken.
Long-term therapy
Close monitoring of kidney function, liver function, and blood counts is recommended during long-term therapy with this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Missed Dose
Oral: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.
Injection: Since this medicine is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical or hospital setting, the likelihood of missing a dose is very low.
Overdose
Oral: Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
Injection: Since this medicine is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Live cholera vaccine
Methotrexate
Tetracycline
Ethinyl Estradiol
Warfarin
Disease interactions
Bone Marrow Depression
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with bone marrow depression due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of blood counts is recommended for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Colitis
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients having a history of gastrointestinal diseases, particularly colitis, since it may worsen the patient's condition. Report any incidence of severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, blood in stools, etc. to the doctor immediately. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Oral: Take this medicine on an empty stomach. The effectiveness of this medicine may be reduced in the presence of food. Do not consume in larger or smaller amounts than advised. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects. Ensure that the treatment course is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Injection: This medicine should be administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical or hospital setting. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report to the doctor all your current medicines including herbs and supplements as well as all your medical conditions before receiving this medicine. Report any undesired side effects to the doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by interfering with certain processes that help the bacteria to form new cell walls. This helps in stopping the growth and multiplication of bacteria and eventually kills them.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Penicillinase resistant penicillins
Schedule
Schedule H
Cloxacillin - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 16 March 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Just.edu.jo. 2018 [cited 16 March 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Pdf.hres.ca. 2018 [cited 16 March 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Sterimaxinc.com. 2018 [cited 16 March 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Davisplus.fadavis.com. 2018 [cited 16 March 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 20 Mar 2018
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.