$Unique_ID{BRK01925}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{DICLOXACILLIN}
$Subject{Dicloxacil (Goldline)
dicloxacillin sodium (various manufacturers)
Dycill (Beecham)
Dynapen (Bristol)
Pathocil (Wyeth)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


DICLOXACILLIN
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Dicloxacil (Goldline)
     dicloxacillin sodium (various manufacturers)
     Dycill (Beecham)
     Dynapen (Bristol)
     Pathocil (Wyeth)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Penicillin antibiotic
INGREDIENT:
     dicloxacillin
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Capsules (125 mg, 250 mg, and 500 mg)
     Oral suspension (62.5 mg per 5-ml spoonful)
STORAGE:
     Dicloxacillin capsules should be stored at room temperature in a tightly
       closed container.  The oral suspension should be stored in the
       refrigerator in a tightly closed container.  Any unused portion of the
       suspension should be discarded after 14 days because the drug loses its
       potency after that time.  This medication should never be frozen.

USES

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

TREATMENT

     Dicloxacillin 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 suspension form of this medication should be shaken well just before
measuring each dose.  The contents tend to settle at the bottom of the bottle,
so it is necessary to shake the container to distribute the ingredients evenly
and equalize the doses.  Each dose should then be measured carefully with a
specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon.  An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not
accurate enough.
     Dicloxacillin works best when the level of medicine in your bloodstream
is kept constant.  It is best, therefore, to 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 for you to continue to take this medication for the
entire time prescribed by your doctor (usually seven to 14 days), even if the
symptoms of your infection disappear before the end of that period.  If you
stop taking the drug too soon, bacteria are given a chance to continue
growing, and the infection could recur.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, or vomiting.  These side effects should
disappear as you adjust to the drug.

     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.  In addition, if the symptoms of your infection seem
to be getting worse rather than improving, you should contact your doctor.

INTERACTIONS

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

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to dicloxacillin or penicillins, or to
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 later on, or one that someone else has, may require a
different medicine.  You should not give your medicine to other people or use
it for other infections, unless your doctor specifically directs you to do so.
     * Diabetics taking dicloxacillin should know that this drug can cause
interference with a Clinitest urine glucose test.  To avoid this problem while
taking dicloxacillin, you should switch to Clinistix or Tes-Tape to test your
urine for sugar.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Although
dicloxacillin 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.

----------------

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.
