Andrey Nailor, M.D.·Published 18 October 2004·6 min read
Key points
OXACILLIN (Bactocill®, Prostaphlin®) is a penicillin antibiotic.
Take oxacillin 1 to 2 hours before or at least 2 hours after eating; taking it with food can make it less effective.
If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose.
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products.
What are oxacillin capsules?
OXACILLIN (Bactocill®, Prostaphlin®) is a penicillin antibiotic. Oxacillin kills certain bacteria that cause infection, or stops their growth. It treats many kinds of infections of the skin, central nervous system, heart, brain, bones, respiratory tract, sinuses, and urinary tract. Generic oxacillin capsules are available.
What should my health care professional know before I take oxacillin?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
asthma
eczema
kidney disease
liver disease
stomach problems (especially colitis)
other chronic illness
an unusual or allergic reaction to oxacillin, other penicillins, cephalosporin antibiotics, foods, dyes, or preservatives
breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine? Take oxacillin capsules by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take oxacillin 1 to 2 hours before or at least 2 hours after eating; taking it with food can make it less effective. Take with a full glass of water. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses. There should be an interval of at least 4 to 6 hours between doses.
What drug(s) may interact with oxacillin?
certain antibiotics given by injection
probenecid
rifampin
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking oxacillin?
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
dark yellow or brown urine
difficulty breathing, wheezing
fever or chills, sore throat
headache
less frequent passing of urine
red spots on the skin
redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
seizures (convulsions)
severe or watery diarrhea
skin rash, itching
swollen joints
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual weakness or tiredness
yellowing of the eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
diarrhea
nausea, vomiting
sore mouth
What should I watch for while taking oxacillin? Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 2 or 3 days.
If you get severe or watery diarrhea, do not treat yourself. Call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.
If you get a skin rash, do not treat yourself. Call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.
If you are diabetic and taking large doses of oxacillin, you may get a false-positive result for sugar in your urine. Check with your prescriber or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.
What are oxacillin capsules?
OXACILLIN (Bactocillreg;, Prostaphlinreg;) is a penicillin antibiotic. Oxacillin kills certain bacteria that cause infection, or stops their growth. It treats many kinds of infections of the skin, central nervous system, heart, brain, bones, respiratory tract, sinuses, and urinary tract. Generic oxacillin capsules are available.
What should my health care professional know before I take oxacillin? They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
asthma
eczema
kidney disease
liver disease
stomach problems (especially colitis)
other chronic illness
an unusual or allergic reaction to oxacillin, other penicillins, cephalosporin antibiotics, foods, dyes, or preservatives
breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine? Take oxacillin capsules by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take oxacillin 1 to 2 hours before or at least 2 hours after eating; taking it with food can make it less effective. Take with a full glass of water. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses. There should be an interval of at least 4 to 6 hours between doses.
What drug(s) may interact with oxacillin?
certain antibiotics given by injection
probenecid
rifampin
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking oxacillin? Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
dark yellow or brown urine
difficulty breathing, wheezing
fever or chills, sore throat
headache
less frequent passing of urine
red spots on the skin
redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
seizures (convulsions)
severe or watery diarrhea
skin rash, itching
swollen joints
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual weakness or tiredness
yellowing of the eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
diarrhea
nausea, vomiting
sore mouth
What should I watch for while taking oxacillin? Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 2 or 3 days.
If you get severe or watery diarrhea, do not treat yourself. Call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.
If you get a skin rash, do not treat yourself. Call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.
If you are diabetic and taking large doses of oxacillin, you may get a false-positive result for sugar in your urine. Check with your prescriber or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date. Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
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