Flucloxacillin for infection

About flucloxacillin

What is flucloxacillin used to treat?

Flucloxacillin is used to treat bacterial infections such as ear infections, skin infections, bone infections, and heart and chest infections. It works by killing the bacteria causing the infection.

Flucloxacillin is also used before some surgical operations to prevent an infection from developing. Flucloxacillin is available in combination with another antibiotic in a medicine called co-fluampicil. For information on this medicine read our leaflet Co-fluampicil for infection.

Who cannot take flucloxacillin

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking flucloxacillin it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. (Although flucloxacillin is not known to be harmful to babies, it is still important that you tell your doctor if you are expecting or breastfeeding a baby.)

• Wenn Sie Probleme mit der Arbeitsweise Ihrer Leber haben.

• Wenn Sie Nierenprobleme haben.

• Wenn Sie andere Arzneimittel einnehmen. Dazu gehören alle Arzneimittel, die Sie einnehmen und die rezeptfrei erhältlich sind, sowie pflanzliche und ergänzende Arzneimittel.

• If you have an allergic condition, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine. This is particularly important if you have ever had a bad reaction to any penicillin antibiotic.

How to take flucloxacillin

• Before you start this antibiotic, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. The leaflet will give you more information about flucloxacillin and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take your dose of flucloxacillin exactly as your doctor tells you to. It is taken four times a day Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how many capsules (or how much liquid medicine) to take for each dose, and this information will be printed on the label of the pack to remind you. If you have been given liquid medicine for a child, read the directions carefully to make sure you measure out the correct amount of medicine.

• You should take flucloxacillin 'on an empty stomach', which means you should take it about an hour before a meal, for example midday before lunch or in the morning before breakfast, or wait until two hours afterwards. This is because your body absorbs less flucloxacillin after a meal, which means the medicine is less effective. Space the doses out evenly during the day.

• Swallow the capsules whole - do not chew or open them. Some people find it helps to swallow the capsules with a drink of water.

• Wenn Sie die Einnahme einer Dosis vergessen haben, nehmen Sie eine, sobald Sie sich daran erinnern. Versuchen Sie, jeden Tag die richtige Anzahl von Dosen einzunehmen, aber nehmen Sie nicht zwei Dosen gleichzeitig ein, um sie nachzuholen.

• Even if you feel your infection has cleared up, keep taking the antibiotic until the course is finished, unless you are told to stop. This is to prevent the infection from coming back. Your doctor will tell you how long your course of treatment will last. If you still feel unwell after finishing the course, go back to see your doctor.

Flucloxacillin side effects

Along with their useful effects, flucloxacillin can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine.

The most common side effects of flucloxacillin are:

• Unwohlsein (Übelkeit).

• Krank sein (Erbrechen).

• Diarrhöe.

• Skin rash.

The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

How to manage flucloxacillin side effects

Important: if you develop an itchy rash, or a swollen face or mouth, or have difficulty breathing, these may be signs that you are allergic to a penicillin antibiotic. Do not take any more flucloxacillin and speak with your doctor or go to your local accident and emergency department straightaway.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the medicine, speak with your doctor, pharmacist or health professional.

Das Beste aus Ihrer Behandlung herausholen

• Manche Menschen entwickeln nach der Einnahme von Antibiotika Soor (Rötung und Juckreiz im Mund oder in der Vagina). Wenn Sie denken, dass Sie Soor haben, fragen Sie Ihren Arzt oder Apotheker um Rat.

• Wenn Sie eine orale kombinierte hormonelle Empfängnisverhütung (die "Pille") anwenden, werden bei Übelkeit (Erbrechen) oder Durchfall, die länger als 24 Stunden andauern, vorübergehend zusätzliche empfängnisverhütende Maßnahmen wie Kondome empfohlen. Sprechen Sie mit Ihrem Arzt oder Apotheker, wenn Sie weiteren Rat brauchen.

• If you need pain relief whilst taking flucloxacillin it is best to speak to your doctor or a pharmacist first. The painkiller paracetamol is not always recommended during treatment with flucloxacillin, especially if you also have problems with the way your kidneys work.

• If you are having an operation or any other medical treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking an antibiotic.

• Flucloxacillin may stop the oral typhoid vaccine from working. If you are having any vaccinations, make sure the person treating you knows that you are taking this antibiotic.

• If you are taking flucloxacillin over an extended period of time, your doctor will want to routinely check on your progress. Try to keep any regular appointments you have booked with your doctor, as you will need to have some blood tests to check that your liver and kidneys are working well.

How to store flucloxacillin

• Bewahren Sie alle Arzneimittel außerhalb der Reichweite und Sichtweite von Kindern auf.

• Store flucloxacillin capsules in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

• If you have been given liquid medicine, store it in a refrigerator. It will have been made up by the pharmacy and lasts for seven days, so check the expiry date on the bottle and do not use it after this date.

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