Information about Cloxacillin

Generic Name : Cloxacillin
Up-to-date prescription details regarding Cloxacillin are provided here.

Pronunciation : Clox-A-Cill-In

Learn the correct pronunciation of the Cloxacillin, understand it's uses, recommended dosages, its indications, how to take, when to take, when not to take, side effects, special precautions, warnings and its and its storage instructions.

You will also find a list of the medication's International and Indian brand or trade names, as well as its pricing information. For verification of the information presented on this page or for additional clarifications, it's advisable to consult your doctor.

Therapeutic Classification : Antibiotics

Trade Names/Brand Names of Cloxacillin

India :

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Overview of Cloxacillin

• Cloxacillin is beta-lactam antibiotic.
• It is used for the treatment of bacterial infections that are resistant to penicillin.

Why is Cloxacillin Prescribed? (Indications)

Cloxacillin is used for to the treatment of several infections that may include endocarditis (infection of the inner layer of the heart), pneumonia (infection of the lung) and other respiratory tract infections, bone and joint infections, sepsis (blood infection), skin and soft tissue infections and urinary tract infection.

Like other penicillins, it prevents the synthesis of the bacterial wall, resulting in its death.

It is effective against bacteria that produce an enzyme called penicillinase like penicillinase-producing Staphylococci.

Penicillinase breaks down penicillin and results in resistance to the drug.

When should Cloxacillin not be taken? (Contraindications)

• Cloxacillin is contraindicated if the patient allergic to cloxacillin, penicillin, or cephalosporin.

What is the dosage of Cloxacillin?

• Cloxacillin is usually administered along with another drug.
• The duration of treatment varies with the type of infection.
• It is available as a capsule, dry powder for oral solution or vial for injection.
• The recommended dose of cloxacillin in adults is 250-500mg every 6 hours orally, intramuscular or intravenously.
• Injectable doses up to 2 g every 4 to 6 hours have been recommended by some.

How should Cloxacillin be taken?

• Oral cloxacillin should be taken on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after the meal.
• The powder for oral intake should be reconstituted with sterile water and the injection with sterile water for injection before use.

What are the warnings and precautions for Cloxacillin?

• Inform your doctor before taking cloxacillin if you ever had asthma, hay fever, or other allergic reaction.

• Immediately stop taking cloxacillin if you experience rash, fever, itching or joint pain.

What are the side effects of Cloxacillin?

Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ache
Blood: Low blood counts
Allergic reaction: Itching, rash, fever, severe allergic reactions like angioedema and anaphylaxis
Cardiovascular system: Low blood pressure
Brain: Confusion, lethargy, twitching, seizures
Kidneys: Loss of blood or protein in the urine, kidney damage
Liver: Increased liver enzymes, liver damage
Superinfection: Infection of the digestive tract with certain bacteria like Clostridium difficile and fungi may occur if cloxacillin is administered for a prolonged duration.

What are the other precautions for Cloxacillin?

• Patients should complete the entire course of therapy, even if they feel completely well.
• Patients should be advised not take an additional non-prescription drug such as antacids, laxatives, or vitamins along with cloxacillin.
• Use with caution in patients with kidney or seizure disorder.

What are the Drug Interactions of Cloxacillin?

• Cloxacillin reduces the effect of vaccines like BCG, typhoid and cholera vaccine, and medications that contain Lactobacillus. These should, therefore, be avoided being used with cloxacillin.
• Cloxacillin may increase the blood concentration of methotrexate.
• Cloxacillin may reduce the blood concentration of the active metabolite of mycophenolate.
• Cloxacillin may reduce the effect of estriol, sodium picosulphate.
• Tetracyclines may reduce the effect of cloxacillin.
• Probenecid may increase the blood concentration of cloxacillin.
• Cloxacillin may alter the anticoagulant effect of anticoagulants like warfarin.