Flucloxacillin is an antibiotic medication a doctor may prescribe to treat certain kinds of Staphylococcus infections, including skin, bone, and lung infections. This drug is in the penicillin class and people cannot obtain it without a prescription. This protects patient safety and reduces antibiotic resistance in bacteria and other organisms by making sure people only take these drugs when they absolutely need to. Patients on this medication should make sure to complete the full course of medication, even if they start to feel better.
This drug works against a narrow spectrum of Gram positive bacteria. It is among a group of drugs known as beta-lactam antibiotics because they are not sensitive to beta-lactam, an enzyme some bacteria can produce to resist antibiotic therapy. If a patient has an infection that does not appear to be responding to regular antibiotic drugs, beta-lactam antibiotics can be part of treatment, as they will be effective even against bacteria using this enzyme in their defense.
Patients can take flucloxacillin orally or by injection. The length of a course of treatment varies, depending on the type of infection and the situation, and some patients may take it for prophylaxis before or after surgery, with the goal of preventing infections. The antibiotic works by attacking the process bacteria use to synthesize cell walls. Without a cell wall, bacteria cannot survive. The rate of growth will slow and older organisms will start to die off, causing the infection to end.
The most common flucloxacillin side effect is digestive upset. Patients may feel nauseous and can develop diarrhea and vomiting. If these symptoms are low level, they may not be a big cause for concern, but if patients start to experience severe stomach pain and uncontrollable side effects, it may be necessary to consider an alternative. Patients can also develop allergies, and should not take this medication if they have a history of bad reactions to other penicillins.
People can store their flucloxacillin in a cool, dry place out of reach of other members of the household. It is important to take the medication at the same time each day and to follow dosage instructions carefully. If people miss a dose, they should make it up, unless it is close to the time for the next dose. In cases where flucloxacillin is ingested by a household pet, patients can call their veterinarians for advice on what to do. They should have the dosage information available so the vet can determine whether the animal is in danger.
