carbenicillin Health Article

Generic name(s):

carbenicillin

Brand name(s):

Geocillin

What is the most important information I should know about carbenicillin?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to carbenicillin or to any other penicillin antibiotic, such as amoxicillin (Amoxil), ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen), dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen), oxacillin (Bactocill), penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids), and others.

Before using carbenicillin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to cephalosporins such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and others, or if you have asthma, kidney disease, a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, or a history of any type of allergy.

Carbenicillin can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before taking carbenicillin, 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. Carbenicillin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Do not give this medication to another person, even if they have the same symptoms you do.

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 is carbenicillin?

Carbenicillin is an antibiotic in the penicillin group of drugs. It fights bacteria in your body.

Carbenicillin is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria, such as bladder infection.

Carbenicillin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking carbenicillin?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to carbenicillin or to any other penicillin antibiotic, such as:

• amoxicillin (Amoxil, Amoxicot, Biomox, Dispermox, Trimox);

• ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen);

• dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen);

• oxacillin (Bactocill); or

• penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids, and others).

Before using carbenicillin, 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;

• 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 not be able to use carbenicillin, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

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. Carbenicillin can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before taking carbenicillin, tell your doctor if you use birth control pills. Carbenicillin 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.