Oxacillin
About
Oxacillin belongs to a group of medications called 'penicillin antibiotics' that is primarily indicated in the treatment of bacterial infections. Oxacillin is used for the prevention of pneumonia, upper respiratory tract infections, skin and structure infection, urinary tract infection, dental infections, and joint and bone infections. Bacterial infection occurs when bacteria enter the body and multiply and cause a reaction in the body. Infectious or harmful bacteria can make you sick and reproduce quickly in your body. These harmful bacteria produce chemicals known as toxins, which can damage tissue and make you sick.
Oxacillin contains medicine, namely 'Oxacillin' which acts by destroying the outer protein layer thereby killing the bacteria (bactericidal). It also blocks the third and last stage of synthesis of the outer layer (cell wall) of bacteria that kills and prevents the growth of bacterial infection. Oxacillin does not work against infections caused by viruses, including colds and flu.
The dose of Oxacillin can depend upon the age that is different for the adult and children. The common side effects are rash, vomiting, allergic reaction, stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea. However, these side effects are mild and temporary, and if these persist, you should contact a doctor.
Before starting Oxacillin, please inform your doctor if you have any allergy (against any antibiotic), or kidney or liver problems. And also, if prescribed by your doctor Oxacillin is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding but use with caution.
Uses of Oxacillin
Medicinal Benefits
Oxacillin is a penicillin antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections including pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections, and ear, mouth, skin, gum, and throat infections. Oxacillin works by preventing the bacteria from making peptidoglycan, a molecule required by bacteria to survive in the human body. This medicine generally weakens the cell and causes the death of bacteria that allow an individual to be recovered from bacterial infection. It is a fast-acting medicine that even starts showing effects within few hours of its intake.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Oxacillin
- Skin rashes
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach pain
- Allergic reaction
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
After taking Oxacillin if you can have allergy-like symptoms including upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, and mouth sores immediately contact your doctor. Oxacillin should not be given to the patients who are allergic to cephalosporin or penicillin antibiotics, a newborn baby with jaundice, epilepsy (fits), and mononucleosis (viral infection with fever and sore throat). Breastfeeding mothers should consult a doctor before using Oxacillin. Oxacillin should not be given with allopurinol (uric acid-reducing medicines) and other antibiotics like chloramphenicol, erythromycin, and tetracycline.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Oxacillin should not be given with gout medicine (allopurinol), and bacteriostatic drugs that prevent the growth of bacteria (chloramphenicol, erythromycin, and tetracyclines).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid taking eating high-fat meal as this makes it harder for your body to absorb Oxacillin.
Drug-Disease Interaction: People affected with liver disease (like jaundice), glandular fever (viral infection with fever and sore throat) should not take Oxacillin.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
safe if prescribedOxacillin does not interact with alcohol.
Pregnancy
cautionOxacillin can be given during pregnancy. However, the drug should be given with caution and only if prescribed by the doctor.
Breast Feeding
unsafeUse of Oxacillin is not recommended for use by a nursing mother.
Driving
safe if prescribedIt is safe to drive a motor vehicle after using Oxacillin.
Liver
cautionOxacillin to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionOxacillin to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
safe if prescribedFor children, a small dose of injection vials are available. The dose needs to be adjusted and recommended by a child specialist only.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Diarrhea may happen as a side effect. Taking probiotics along with Oxacillin may help. Talk to your doctor if you notice bloody stools or develop stomach cramps.
- Take it with food and plenty of fluids to avoid an upset stomach.
- Avoid intake of alcoholic beverages with Oxacillin as it can make you dehydrated and may affect your sleep. This can make it harder for your body to aid the Oxacillin in fighting off infections.
Special Advise
- Even if you feel better after taking Oxacillin, do not stop taking it until your doctor says so. This might cause the symptoms to reappear and will make the infection difficult to treat due to antibiotic resistance.
- Make sure you drink plenty of fluids when you are sick. This will in general help you clear out the infection faster, protect you from dehydration, and will help you overcome some unpleasant side effects of taking Oxacillin.
- Stop taking Oxacillin and inform your doctor immediately if you develop an itchy rash, swelling of the face, throat, tongue and, breathing difficulties while taking it.
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 part of the body and multiply very quickly. Bacterial infections vary from minor illnesses like throat and ear infections to severe brain infections like meningitis and encephalitis. When you get infected with bacteria, you can experience generalized symptoms, like fevers, chills, and fatigue. Few harmful bacteria that commonly cause infections include Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and E. coli. Anyone can get a bacterial infection, but people with a weak immune system or taking immunosuppressive medicines like steroids are more prone to infections.
FAQs
Oxacillin start working as soon you take it however you will take two to three days to feel better.
Oxacillin needs to be taken on an empty stomach which means taking the medicine before one hour you eat any food or wait for at least two hours after taking food. This is because your body will absorb less medicine after a meal that may make medicine less effective.
Bacterial infections are transmitted by bacteria, you can get a bacterial infection from other persons, through the environment or eating due to contaminated food and water.
Your body has white blood cells that act as a defence of the body and fight off the bacteria that may make you sick.
Some foods like fermented ones are produced by microbes and help in promoting good bacterias in the body. These foods include yoghurt, cheese, kimchi, etc. All of these products contain healthy bacteria that help to restore the good bacteria lost after bacterial infection.
Oxacillin is an antibiotic medication. You need to complete the full course even if you start to feel better to prevent the return of infection and resistance to Oxacillin.
Usually, Oxacillin starts working soon after using it. However, it may take some days to kill all the harmful bacteria and make you feel better.
Oxacillin does not treat a viral infection like the flu or a common cold. So if you are feeling under the weather, it is best to consult the doctor to know if you need Oxacillin for your condition.
Yes, after taking Oxacillin, you may have diarrhoea. Oxacillin is an antibiotic that kills or prevents bacterial growth, so in case some good intestinal bacteria which aid in digestion might also get killed. So, drink plenty of fluids and take probiotics to prevent excessive loss of fluids from the body (dehydration).