Flucloxacillin
About Flucloxacillin
Flucloxacillin is a prescription penicillin antibiotic primarily used to treat infections caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria, particularly beta-lactamase-producing Staphylococcus species and certain Streptococcus species. It is commonly prescribed for infections of the skin, soft tissues, bones, joints, and selected respiratory or ear, nose, and throat infections. By killing susceptible bacteria, this medicine helps your body overcome the infection and prevents it from spreading further.
For this medicine to work effectively, it must be taken consistently at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day as prescribed. You should take Flucloxacillin on an empty stomach, which means either one hour before a meal or two hours after eating. Making sure you complete the full course of treatment is vital, even if you start feeling better after a few days.
While taking Flucloxacillin, you might experience mild side effects like a temporary upset stomach or mild diarrhoea. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you develop severe watery diarrhoea, a high fever, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. These could be signs of more serious complications that require urgent medical evaluation.
Talk to your doctor before starting this medicine if you have a history of kidney problems or liver issues. Do not take this if you have ever had an allergic reaction to penicillin or similar antibiotics, as this can lead to a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction.
This medicine can interact with certain other treatments, such as blood thinners or specific vaccinations, reducing their effectiveness or increasing side effects. It is also important to avoid heavy alcohol consumption while on this treatment to prevent unnecessary strain on your body. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or are caring for an elderly patient, consult your healthcare provider before using this medicine.
Uses of Flucloxacillin
Medicinal Benefits
Flucloxacillin helps treat bacterial infections by eliminating the bacteria causing the illness, allowing your body to recover more effectively. As the infection begins to clear, it helps relieve symptoms and reduces the risk of the infection spreading or causing complications.
Key benefits include:
- Relief from infection symptoms: Helps reduce pain, swelling, redness, fever, and discomfort associated with bacterial infections.
- Faster recovery: Kills susceptible bacteria, enabling your immune system to clear the infection more efficiently and helping you return to your normal daily activities sooner.
- Prevention of infection spread: Helps prevent bacterial infections from spreading to nearby tissues or other parts of the body when taken as prescribed.
- Reduced risk of complications: Completing the full course helps lower the risk of serious complications, such as deeper skin infections, bloodstream infections, or permanent damage to affected joints and tissues.
Directions for Use
- Flucloxacillin should be taken at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
- It is recommended to take Flucloxacillin 4 times a day or as prescribed by your doctor.
- Swallow Flucloxacillin as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or open it.
Storage
Side Effects of Flucloxacillin
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Upset stomach, bloating, or mild nausea
- Mild diarrhoea or loose stools
- An unpleasant taste in your mouth
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Severe, persistent, or bloody diarrhoea accompanied by stomach cramps
- Signs of liver damage, such as yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, dark urine, or pale stools
- An immediate allergic reaction, including hives, severe itching, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, and difficulty breathing
- Unexplained joint pain or fever that starts several days after you begin the medication
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
Follow these precautions to use Flucloxacillin safely and reduce the risk of complications during and after treatment:
- Do not share your medication: Never give Flucloxacillin to anyone else, even if they have symptoms similar to yours.
- Inform your doctor about antibiotic allergies: Do not take Flucloxacillin if you have a known allergy to penicillins, cephalosporins, or other beta-lactam antibiotics. Tell your doctor immediately if you have a history of these allergies.
- Monitor your response to treatment: Contact your doctor if your skin infection does not begin to improve within three days of starting Flucloxacillin or if your symptoms worsen.
- Watch for delayed side effects: Seek medical advice if you develop severe diarrhoea, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or other signs of liver problems, even several weeks after completing your treatment.
Drug Interactions
- Methotrexate: Flucloxacillin may reduce the clearance of methotrexate, increasing the risk of methotrexate toxicity.
- Warfarin: This antibiotic may alter blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Your doctor may monitor your INR or clotting time more closely.
- Oral typhoid vaccine: Flucloxacillin can reduce the effectiveness of the live oral typhoid vaccine. Vaccination should generally be postponed until after completing the antibiotic course.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionNo interactions were found. However, As a precautionary measure, you are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Flucloxacillin to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult the doctor before taking Flucloxacillin if you are pregnant. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Flucloxacillin.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease consult the doctor before taking Flucloxacillin if you are breastfeeding. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Flucloxacillin.
Driving
safe if prescribedFlucloxacillin has no or negligible influence on driving or using machines.
Liver
cautionIf you have a history or evidence of any liver-related diseases, consult the doctor before taking Flucloxacillin. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Flucloxacillin.
Kidney
cautionIf you have a history or evidence of any kidney-related diseases, consult the doctor before taking Flucloxacillin. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Flucloxacillin.
Children
safe if prescribedFlucloxacillin can be given to children if prescribed by the doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Timing is key: Keep your meals separated from your medication times. Plan your breakfast, lunch, and dinner so that you can easily maintain an empty stomach for your doses.
- Support your gut: Antibiotics can disrupt your natural gut bacteria. Consider taking a high-quality probiotic supplement or eating fermented foods like yogurt, but space them at least two hours apart from your Flucloxacillin dose so the antibiotic doesn't deactivate the beneficial bacteria.
- Stay well hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day. This helps your kidneys process and clear the medication from your body efficiently.
- Avoid liver strain: Because this class of medicine is processed by the liver, avoid drinking alcohol during your treatment course to prevent overworking your liver.
Special Advise
Regular monitoring of liver and kidney function is advised whilst taking Flucloxacillin for a long period of time.
Tell your doctor that you are taking Flucloxacillin if you are undergoing urine tests or blood tests because it may affect the results.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial infection: A bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria enter, multiply, and infect the body. It can target any body part and multiply very quickly. When you get infected with bacteria, you can experience generalized symptoms like fevers, chills, and fatigue. Bacterial infections vary from minor illnesses like sore throat and ear infections to severe brain infections like meningitis and encephalitis. Anyone can become infected with a bacterial infection. But, people with weak immune systems or taking immunosuppressive medicine are more prone to bacterial infection.
FAQs
Flucloxacillin is used to treat bacterial infections.
Flucloxacillin works by preventing the bacteria's cell wall formation, which is necessary for their survival. Thereby, Flucloxacillin kills the bacteria and effectively treats various bacterial infections.
Continue taking Flucloxacillin until you've finished the course advised by the doctor. Do this even if you feel better. It'll help stop the infection from coming back.
There is no firm evidence to suggest that taking Flucloxacillin will reduce fertility in either men or women. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
If you feel sick (nausea), stick to simple meals and try not to eat spicy food. If you experience vomiting and diarrhoea, drink a lot of fluids such as water or squash, take small, frequent sips to avoid dehydration. Do not take any other medicines without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
To avoid drug interactions, it is recommended that you consult a doctor before taking Flucloxacillin with other medications.
After taking antibiotics like Flucloxacillin, some patients get a fungal illness called thrush. Seek medical advice from your doctor if you suspect you have thrush.
If you do not feel better after three days of using Flucloxacillin, contact your doctor. And also, Inform them if you begin to feel worse at any point.
No, you should not take Flucloxacillin with food. Food reduces the absorption of this medicine, making it less effective. Always take your dose on an empty stomach, either one hour before or two hours after a meal. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are struggling with this schedule.
Mild diarrhoea is a common side effect of antibiotics. However, if you develop severe, watery, or bloody diarrhoea accompanied by stomach cramps, contact your doctor immediately or seek urgent medical attention, as this could be a sign of a serious bowel infection. Do not take anti-diarrhoeal medicines unless advised by your doctor. Your doctor will determine whether Flucloxacillin should be continued or stopped.
Flucloxacillin is generally considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but it should only be used if clearly needed. Small amounts of the medicine can pass into breast milk. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist to weigh the benefits and risks before starting treatment.
It is highly recommended to avoid alcohol while taking Flucloxacillin. Although there is no direct chemical interaction, both alcohol and this medicine are processed by your liver. Avoiding alcohol helps prevent extra strain on your liver and supports your body's healing process.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed one entirely and continue with your regular timing. Never take two doses at the same time to compensate. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you miss several doses.
No, you should not take Flucloxacillin if you are allergic to penicillin. Flucloxacillin belongs to the penicillin class of antibiotics, and taking it could trigger a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. Always tell your doctor about any drug allergies before starting a new treatment.
No, Flucloxacillin is an antibiotic and only works against infections caused by bacteria. It will not treat viral infections like colds, influenza, or Covid-19. Using antibiotics when they are not needed can lead to antibiotic resistance. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure of the cause of your illness.
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