Generic

Flucloxacillin Sodium

Indications

Flucloxacillin is used to treat infections produced by Gram-positive bacteria, particularly infections caused by staphylococci that produce penicillinase. These are some of the signs:

• Infections of the skin and soft tissues: boils, abscesses, carbuncles, and infected skin diseases (e.g. ulcer, eczema, acne, furunculosis, cellulitis, infected wounds, infected burns, otitis media and externa, impetigo).
• Pneumonia, lung abscess, empyema, sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, and quinsy are all respiratory tract illnesses.
• It is also used to treat other infections caused by Flucloxacillin-sensitive organisms, such as osteomyelitis, enteritis, endocarditis, urinary tract infection, meningitis, and septicaemia.

Pharmacology

Flucloxacillin is effective against Gram-positive bacteria, particularly those that produce penicillinase. It has little effect on Gram-negative bacteria. Flucloxacillin works by preventing bacteria from forming cell walls. Flucloxacillin is an isoxazolyl penicillin that combines resistance to penicillinase hydrolysis, gastric acid stability, and gram-positive bacterium action. Flucloxacillin is a bactericidal antibiotic that is particularly effective against staphylococci that produce penicillinase.Flucloxacillin inhibits peptidoglycan production by killing the bacterial cellwall. Peptidoglycan is a heteropolymeric substance that offers mechanical stability to the cell wall. The completion of cross-linking with the terminal glycine residue of the pentaglycin bridge joining to the fourth residue of the pentapeptide is the final stage of peptidoglycan production (D-alanine). Flucloxacillin inhibits the transpeptidase enzyme that conducts this step. As a result, the bacterial cell wall is weakened, and the cell expands before bursting.Because of the steric hindrance generated by the acyl side chain, which hinders the opening of the – lactam ring, flucloxacillin resists the action of bacterial penicillinase.

Dosage & Administration

Oral administration:

• Adult: 250 mg four times daily. Dosage may be doubled in severe infections. In osteomyelitis and endocarditis, up to 8 gm daily is used in 6-8 hourly divided doses.
• Children (2-10 years): 1/2 of adult dose.
• Children (Under 2 years): 1/4 of adult dose.

Parenteral administration:
Adult or Elderly:

• Intramuscular Injection: 250 mg four times daily.
• Intravenous Injection: 250 mg-1 g four times daily by slow injection over 3 to 4 minutes or by intravenous infusion.
• All systemic doses may be doubled in severe infections: doses up to 8 g daily have been suggested for endocarditis or osteomyelitis.

Children:

• 2-10 years: half of the adult dose.
• Under 2 years: a quarter of the adult dose.

Oral doses should be administered 1 hour before meal.

Interaction

Concurrent Flucloxacillin use may result in an elevated Flucloxacillin level in the blood for an extended length of time.

Contraindications

In patients with penicillin hypersensitivity, flucloxacillin is not recommended.

Side Effects

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dyspepsia, and other minor gastrointestinal problems are some of the most prevalent gastrointestinal side effects. Urticaria, purpura, fever, interstitial nephritis, hepatitis, and cholestatic jaundice have all been documented in addition to these rashes.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Flucloxacillin is classified as a pregnancy category B by the US Food and Drug Administration. In pregnant women, there are no sufficient and well-controlled trials. Because animal reproduction studies do not always predict human response, this medication should only be used during pregnancy if absolutely necessary. Human milk has been found to contain flucloxacillin. When Flucloxacillin is given to a nursing woman, vigilance should be observed.

Precautions & Warnings

In patients with hepatic impairment, flucloxacillin should be taken with caution. In the treatment of patients with allergic diathesis, caution is also advised.

Therapeutic Class

Penicillins that are resistant to the enzyme penicillinase

Storage Conditions

Keep away from light and heat in a dry location. Keep out of children’s reach.

Pharmaceutical Name

ACME Laboratories Ltd.