What It Is Used For
Flucloxacillin is a penicillin antibiotic used mainly for infections caused by staphylococcus bacteria: skin and wound infections, boils, cellulitis, impetigo, infected eczema, and bone and joint infections.
How to Take It
Adults: usually 250 mg to 500 mg four times a day on an empty stomach, 1 hour before food or 2 hours after. Children: dose by weight as suspension. Space the doses evenly. Finish the full course even if you feel better. Only take antibiotics prescribed for you; misuse makes bacteria resistant.
Who Should Not Take It
Do not take it if you are allergic to penicillin, or if you had jaundice or liver problems with flucloxacillin before.
Side Effects
Common: nausea, diarrhoea and indigestion. Rarely it causes liver problems with yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or itching, which can appear up to 2 months after stopping, more often in older people and long courses. Get urgent help for swelling of the face or throat, breathing difficulty or a blistering rash. Severe watery or bloody diarrhoea needs a doctor.
Precautions
Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease or are over 50.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
It is used in pregnancy and breastfeeding when a doctor prescribes it.
Interactions
It can raise methotrexate levels and change the effect of warfarin.
Storage
Store below 30°C in a dry place, out of the reach of children.