$Unique_ID{BRK01901}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{CLOXACILLIN}
$Subject{cloxacillin sodium (various manufacturers)
Cloxapen (Beecham)
Tegopen (Bristol)}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Tegopen*0190101.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


CLOXACILLIN
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     cloxacillin sodium (various manufacturers)
     Cloxapen (Beecham)
     Tegopen (Bristol)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Penicillin antibiotic
INGREDIENT:
     cloxacillin
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Capsules (250 mg and 500 mg)
     Oral solution (125 mg per 5-ml spoonful)
STORAGE:
     Cloxacillin capsules should be stored at room temperature in a tightly
       closed container.  The oral solution should be stored in the
       refrigerator in a tightly closed container.  Any unused portion of the
       solution should be discarded after 14 days because the drug loses its
       potency after that time.  This medication should never be frozen.

USES

     Cloxacillin is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections,
especially those caused by Staphylococcus bacteria.  It acts by severely
injuring the cell walls of the infecting bacteria, thereby preventing them
from growing and multiplying.  Cloxacillin kills susceptible bacteria, but it
is not effective against viruses, parasites, or fungi.

TREATMENT

     Cloxacillin should be taken on an empty stomach or with a glass of water
one hour before or two hours after a meal.  This medication should never be
taken with fruit juices or carbonated beverages because the acidity of these
drinks destroys the drug in the stomach.
     The oral solution should be measured carefully with a specially designed
5-ml measuring spoon.  An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not accurate enough.
     Cloxacillin works best when the level of medicine in your bloodstream is
kept constant.  Therefore, take the doses at evenly spaced intervals day and
night.  For example, if you are taking four doses a day, the doses should be
spaced six hours apart.
     If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose immediately.
However, if you do not remember to take the missed dose until it is almost
time for your next dose, take it; space the following dose about halfway
through the regular interval between doses; then return to your regular
schedule.  Try not to skip any doses.
     It is important to continue to take this medication for the entire time
prescribed by your doctor (usually seven to 14 days), even if the symptoms of
the infection disappear before the end of that period.  If you stop taking the
drug too soon, resistant bacteria are given the chance to continue growing,
and the infection could recur.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, or vomiting.  These side effects should
disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
bloating, chills, cough, darkened tongue, difficulty in breathing, fever,
irritation of the mouth, muscle aches, rash, rectal or vaginal itching, severe
diarrhea, or sore throat.  Also, if your symptoms of infection seem to be
getting worse rather than improving, you should contact your physician.

INTERACTIONS

     Cloxacillin interacts with several other types of medications:
     1. Probenecid can increase the blood concentrations and side effects of
this medication.
     2. Cloxacillin may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills, and
pregnancy could result.  You should, therefore, use a different or additional
form of birth control while taking this drug.  Discuss this with your doctor.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially any listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to cloxacillin or penicillins, cephalosporin
antibiotics, penicillamine, or griseofulvin.
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had kidney
disease, asthma, or allergies.
     * This medication has been prescribed for your current infection only.
Another infection that develops later on, or one that someone else has, may
require a different medicine.  You should not give your medicine to other
people to use or use your medication for other infections, unless your doctor
specifically directs you to do so.
     * Diabetics taking cloxacillin should know that this drug can cause a
false-positive sugar reaction with a Clinitest urine glucose test.  To avoid
this problem, switch to Clinistix or Tes-Tape in order to test your urine for
sugar.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Although cloxacillin
appears to be safe during pregnancy, extensive studies in humans have not been
conducted.  Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.  Small
amounts of this medication pass into breast milk and may temporarily alter the
bacterial balance in the intestinal tract of the nursing infant, resulting in
diarrhea.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
