What is Oxacillin?
Oxacillin is an antibiotic in the penicillin group of drugs. It fights bacteria in your body.
Oxacillin is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria, such as a staphylococcal (also called “staph”) infection.
Oxacillin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Oxacillin?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to oxacillin or to any other penicillin antibiotic, such as amoxicillin (Amoxil), ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen), carbenicillin (Geocillin), dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen), penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids), and others.
Before using oxacillin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to cephalosporins such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and others, or if you have asthma, liver disease, kidney disease, or a history of any type of allergy.
Oxacillin can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before taking oxacillin, tell your doctor if you use birth control pills.
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Oxacillin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Do not share this medication with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Oxacillin?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to oxacillin or to any other penicillin antibiotic, such as:
- amoxicillin (Amoxil, Amoxicot, Biomox, Dispermox, Trimox)
- ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen)
- carbenicillin (Geocillin)
- dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen)
- penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids, and others)
Before using oxacillin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially cephalosporins such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and others), or if you have:
- asthma
- liver disease
- kidney disease
- a bleeding or blood clotting disorder
- a history of diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics; or
- a history of any type of allergy
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take oxacillin.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Oxacillin can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before taking oxacillin, tell your doctor if you use birth control pills.
Oxacillin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Oxacillin Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Oxacillin?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash
- diarrhea that is watery or bloody
- fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
- easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness
- urinating less than usual or not at all
- severe skin rash, itching, or peeling
- agitation, confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior; or
- seizure (black-out or convulsions)
Less serious side effects may include:
- nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
- vaginal itching or discharge
- headache
- swollen, black, or “hairy” tongue; or
- thrush (white patches or inside your mouth or throat)
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Oxacillin Interactions
What other drugs affect Oxacillin?
Before taking oxacillin, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
- methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall); or
- probenecid (Benemid)
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with oxacillin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking Oxacillin?
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
Oxacillin Dosage
How should I take Oxacillin?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take the medicine with a full glass of water.
Oxacillin should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating a meal.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Oxacillin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Do not share oxacillin with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using oxacillin.
Store oxacillin at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
What happens if I overdose on Oxacillin?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include confusion, behavior changes, a severe skin rash, urinating less than usual, or seizure (black-out or convulsions).
What happens if I miss a dose of Oxacillin?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com