oxacillin Health Article

Generic name(s):

oxacillin

Brand name(s):

Bactocill

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 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 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 purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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 not be able to use oxacillin, 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. 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.