Uses
What is oxacillin used for?
Oxacillin is an antibiotic that is commonly used for infections caused by certain bacteria.
Oxacillin may not be appropriate for all infections. Some bacteria may have developed resistance to oxacillin, which may prevent it from working. Oxacillin only treats certain infections caused by bacteria. Oxacillin will not work for viral infections, such as the common cold, influenza, or coronavirus. It also will not work for any other non-bacterial infections. Using oxacillin or any other antibiotic when it is not needed (infections other than those caused by bacteria, or the lack of an infection in general) may cause the antibiotic to not work for bacterial infections in the future.
Oxacillin may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does oxacillin work (mechanism of action)?
Oxacillin kills certain bacteria by preventing them from being able to create their cell wall.
How is oxacillin supplied (dosage forms)?
Oxacillin is available in the following dosage forms that are injected into a muscle or blood vessel.
- 1 g injection
- 2 g injection
- 10 g injection
- 20 mg/mL injection
- 40 mg/mL injection
How should I store oxacillin?
Oxacillin is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic. If you will store oxacillin at home, follow the instructions given by your healthcare provider.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of oxacillin?
The most common side effects of oxacillin are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Pain, swelling, and/or inflammation at the site of injection
- Rash
There may be other side effects of oxacillin that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of oxacillin?
While less common, the most serious side effects of oxacillin are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Oxacillin may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using oxacillin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Seizures. Some people who have used oxacillin have reported having seizures. There are many different types of seizures and some of them are not easy to recognize. Stop using oxacillin and call your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.
- Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
- Stiffening of your arms and legs
- Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Falling or losing consciousness
Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when using oxacillin. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.
- Reduced need to pee
- Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
- Weakness or unusual tiredness
- Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Seizures
Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or “C. diff,” can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including oxacillin. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen even up to 2 months after stopping the antibiotic. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.
- Watery diarrhea
- Diarrhea that does not go away
- Blood in your stool (poop)
- Severe stomach cramps
- Fever that starts after you start or finish the medicine
Blood Disorders. Oxacillin can cause blood disorders, such as eosinophilia, agranulocytosis, neutropenia, and bone marrow suppression. Stop using oxacillin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of blood disorders.
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Pale or yellowish skin
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Frequent infection
- Unusual weakness or tiredness
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
- Headache
- Fast or abnormal heartbeat
Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when using oxacillin. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach or belly pain
- Fever
- Weakness or unusual tiredness
- Itching
- Loss of appetite
- Light-colored poop
- Dark-colored urine
- Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use oxacillin?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use oxacillin.
- Oxacillin
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific oxacillin products they stock.
What should I know about oxacillin before using it?
Oxacillin is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic.
If you store oxacillin at home, do not share it with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them. Keep oxacillin out of the reach of children.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using oxacillin?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if oxacillin is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
- An allergy to penicillin, any other medicines, corn, or corn products
- Asthma
- Liver problems
- Kidney problems
- History of antibiotic-associated diarrhea
Other Medicines and Supplements. Oxacillin may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using oxacillin, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how oxacillin could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use oxacillin while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
Breastfeeding. Oxacillin passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use oxacillin while breastfeeding.
Interactions
Does oxacillin interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between oxacillin and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect oxacillin, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infection.
Does oxacillin interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or OTC medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using oxacillin.
- A tetracycline, such as tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, omadacycline (Nuzyra), or sarecycline (Seysara)
- Probenecid, which is a medicine commonly used for gout
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with oxacillin. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much oxacillin?
If you or someone else has used too much oxacillin, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of oxacillin?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only use the next dose. Do not use double or extra doses.
It is important to complete your prescribed course of oxacillin, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk that future infections are resistant to oxacillin or other similar medicines.
Are you currently using Oxacillin?
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