What is cloxacillin?
Cloxacillin is an antibiotic in the class of drugs called penicillins. It fights bacteria in your
body.
Cloxacillin is used to treat many different types of infections caused by staphylococcus
bacteria ("staph" infections).
Cloxacillin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking cloxacillin?
If you have ever had an allergic reaction to another penicillin or to a cephalosporin, do
not take cloxacillin unless your doctor is aware of your allergy and monitors your therapy.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, stomach or
intestinal disease, or infectious mononucleosis. You may not be able to take cloxacillin because of
an increased risk of side effects.
If you are a diabetic, some glucose urine tests may give false positive results while you are
taking cloxacillin.
Cloxacillin is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is unlikely to harm
an unborn baby. Do not, however, take cloxacillin without first talking to your doctor if you are
pregnant.
It is not known whether cloxacillin passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication
without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take cloxacillin?
Take cloxacillin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these
instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Take cloxacillin on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
Do not drink juice or carbonated beverages (soda) with your dose of cloxacillin. These
beverages will decrease the effectiveness of the drug.
Cloxacillin should be taken at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night to keep
the level in your blood high enough to treat the infection.
Do not crush, chew, or open the capsules. Swallow them whole.
Shake the suspension well before measuring a dose. To ensure that you get a correct
dose, measure the liquid form of cloxacillin with a dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular
tablespoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.
Take all of the cloxacillin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel
better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated.
Store the capsules at room temperature and store the suspension in the refrigerator for
longer use. The suspension is good for 14 days if it is stored in the refrigerator. Throw away any
unused liquid after this amount of time.
What happens if I miss a dose of cloxacillin?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next
dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a
double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
If you have only missed one dose, you can take the rest of your scheduled doses for the day
at evenly spaced intervals.
Where can I get more information about cloxacillin?
Your pharmacist has information about cloxacillin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of cloxacillin?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking cloxacillin and
seek emergency medical attention:
-
an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of your throat;
hives; swelling of your lips, face, or tongue; rash; or fainting);
-
seizures;
-
severe watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps; or
-
unusual bleeding or bruising.
Other, less serious side effects maybe more likely to occur. Continue to
take cloxacillin and talk to your doctor if you experience
-
mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain;
-
white patches on the tongue (thrush/yeast infection);
-
itching or discharge of the vagina (vaginal yeast infection);
or
-
black, "hairy" tongue or sore mouth or tongue.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What is the most important information I should know about cloxacillin?
Take all of the cloxacillin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel
better. Your symptoms may begin to improve before the infection is completely treated.
Do not break, chew, open, or crush the capsules. Swallow them whole.
Cloxacillin may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use a second method of
birth control while taking cloxacillin to protect against pregnancy.
What should I avoid while taking cloxacillin?
Alcohol may irritate your stomach if taken with cloxacillin, so use it with moderation.
What other drugs will affect cloxacillin?
Some drugs may decrease the effects of cloxacillin and prevent it from properly treating your
infection. Before taking cloxacillin, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
-
cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid); or
-
another antibiotic (for the same or for a different infection)
such as erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E-Mycin, E.E.S., others), tetracycline (Sumycin, others),
minocycline (Minocin), doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin, others), or any other.
Cloxacillin may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use
a second method of birth control while taking cloxacillin to protect against pregnancy.
Cloxacillin increases the effects of methotrexate, and you may need a dose adjustment during
therapy with cloxacillin.
Cloxacillin also increases the side effects of allopurinol (Zyloprim) and may cause a rash.
Probenecid (Benemid) increases the effects of cloxacillin. These drugs may be used together
for this purpose; however, be sure your doctor is aware if you are taking probenecid. You may need
a lower dose of cloxacillin.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with cloxacillin. Talk to your doctor and
pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
What happens if I have an overdose of cloxacillin?