oxacillin (injection)

What is the most important information I should know about oxacillin?

What is oxacillin?

Oxacillin is a penicillin antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body.

Oxacillin is used to treat many different types of infections caused by staphylococcus (also called "staph" infection).

Oxacillin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using oxacillin?

• amoxicillin, Augmentin;
• ampicillin;
• carbenicillin;
• dicloxacillin; or
• penicillin.

To make sure oxacillin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• asthma;
• kidney disease;
• liver disease; or
• a history of any type of allergy.

Oxacillin injection is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

How is oxacillin given?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Oxacillin is injected into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use an IV at home. Do not give yourself this medicine if you do not understand how to use the injection and properly dispose of needles, IV tubing, and other items used.

You may need to use oxacillin injection for 14 days or longer if your infection is severe. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions carefully.

You may need to keep using oxacillin for up to 48 hours after lab tests show that your infection has cleared.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Oxacillin will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

Your doctor may change your medication if your lab (cultures) tests show that your infection is not caused by staphylococcus.

While using oxacillin, you may need frequent blood tests.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking oxacillin?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

What are the possible side effects of oxacillin?

An allergic reaction to oxacillin can occur right after you use the medicine, or you may have a delayed reaction.

An immediate allergic reaction can occur within 48 hours after you use oxacillin, and may cause fever with an itchy skin rash.

A delayed reaction may occur past 48 hours and up to 4 weeks after you use oxacillin. Symptoms of a delayed reaction may include fever with swollen glands, rash or itching, joint pain, stomach pain, and a general ill feeling.

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• nausea, vomiting;
• bruising or swelling around the IV needle;
• kidney problems --little or no urination, painful or difficult urination, red or pink urine;
• liver problems --nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• low white blood cell counts --fever, chills, sore throat, swollen gums, mouth sores, pain when swallowing, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms, cough, trouble breathing.

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, upset stomach, vomiting, mild diarrhea;
• vaginal itching or discharge;
• swollen, black, or "hairy" tongue; or
• thrush (white patches or inside your mouth or throat).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect oxacillin?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• probenecid; or
• tetracycline.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with oxacillin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about oxacillin.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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