Flucloxacillin is used for both
staphylococcal and streptococcal skin infections
. These include folliculitis, carbuncles, impetigo, ecthyma, cellulitis, erysipelas, necrotising fasciitis, and infections of skin conditions such as eczema, scabies, ulcers and acne.
What organisms does flucloxacillin cover?
Flucloxacillin is an isoxazolyl penicillin of the β-lactam group of antibiotics which exerts a bactericidal effect upon many Gram-positive organisms including
β-lactamase-producing staphylococci and streptococci
.
What infections are treated with flucloxacillin?
About flucloxacillin
Flucloxacillin is an antibiotic. It’s used to treat skin and wound infections,
chest infections
, such as pneumonia, and bone infections (osteomyelitis). Flucloxacillin is used in children, often to treat ear infections and chest infections.
What microbes does flucloxacillin work against?
Flucloxacillin is a narrow spectrum penicillin antibiotic that exerts specific activity against
Gram positive organisms in skin and soft tissue infections
, except those caused by methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Is flucloxacillin a broad spectrum antibiotic?
Flucloxacillin is the
most common narrow-spectrum penicillinase-resistant penicillin
used in the UK. It is primarily used to treat infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and, in the community, use is almost exclusively for skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs).
Why is flucloxacillin a good option for treating staphylococcal infections?
Antibiotic resistance
Penicillin resistance in S aureus is due to production of an enzyme called beta-lactamase or penicillinase. Methicillin (meticillin) and flucloxacillin are
lactamase-resistant penicillins
so are the antibiotics of choice in most staphylococcal skin infections.
How long should I take flucloxacillin for?
Your doctor will advise you on how long to take flucloxacillin for (
usually 5 to 7 days
). Always take your flucloxacillin exactly as your doctor has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much to take, how often to take it, and any special instructions.
Is flucloxacillin same as amoxicillin?
Amoxicillin
acts against gram-negative and gram-positive organisms except those producing [3-1actamases, and flucloxacillin has its prominent range of activity among gram-positive strains including ~-lactamase producers.
Is it OK to take paracetamol with flucloxacillin?
Paracetamol. Both flucloxacillin and paracetamol
can increase the risk of hepatotoxicity
. Paracetamol has been reported to cause high anion gap metabolic acidosis when given with flucloxacillin. Manufacturer advises caution.
How much does flucloxacillin 500mg cost?
| Active ingredients Size NHS indicative price | Flucloxacillin (as Flucloxacillin sodium) 500 mg 28 £10.50 | 100 £37.50 |
|---|
What is an alternative to flucloxacillin?
Alternative oral antibiotics if there is allergy or intolerance to flucloxacillin include
erythromycin
, co-trimoxazole (first choice if MRSA is present) and cefalexin.
How is flucloxacillin distributed in the body?
Distribution Flucloxacillin diffuses well into most tissues. Specifically, active concentrations of flucloxacillin have been recovered in
bones
: 11.6 mg/l (compact bone) and 15.6 mg/l (spongy bone), with a mean serum level of 8.9 mg/l. Protein binding: the serum protein binding rate is 95 %.
Does flucloxacillin make you sleepy?
The above list includes the more common side effects of your medicine. Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following: tiredness, headaches, being short of breath when exercising, dizziness and looking pale (possible anaemia).
Can you take flucloxacillin for 2 weeks?
Cholestatic jaundice and hepatitis may occur very rarely, up to two months after treatment with flucloxacillin has been stopped.
Administration for more than 2 weeks
and increasing age are risk factors.
Is there a stronger antibiotic than flucloxacillin?
As a substitute for flucloxacillin,
cephalexin
is preferred to erythromycin as it is cheaper.
Can you give flucloxacillin and co amoxicillin together?
The combination of amoxicillin and flucloxacillin not only widens the spectrum of pathogenic
organisms
covered by either of the substances alone; synergy has also been observed, particularly against beta-lactamase-producing organisms.
