Flucloxacillin

Flucloxacillin is not suitable for some people. For example, check with your doctor if you have recently had, or are due to have, any vaccinations.

Flucloxacillin comes as capsules that you usually take 4 times a day. Follow the instructions that come with your medicine.

Common side effects of flucloxacillin include feeling or being sick, bloating and indigestion. Serious side effects can happen in rare cases.

It can cause problems to take flucloxacillin with some other medicines, such as medicines to treat gout or other antibiotics.

Most adults and children can take flucloxacillin.

Flucloxacillin is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist before taking flucloxacillin if you:

• have ever had an allergic reaction to flucloxacillin, any other penicillin type antibiotic or any other medicine
• have liver or kidney problems
• have recently had, or are due to have, any vaccinations

The usual dose of flucloxacillin is 250mg to 500mg, taken 4 times a day. For children, the dose may be lower.

Try to space your doses evenly throughout the day. For example, you could take it first thing in the morning (before breakfast), at around midday (before lunch), late in the afternoon (before your evening meal) and shortly before bedtime.

How to take it

It's best to take flucloxacillin on an empty stomach to help improve how much is absorbed. That means taking it at least 60 minutes before a meal or snack, or at least 2 hours after.

To reduce the risk of pain in your food pipe (oesophagus) swallow flucloxacillin capsules whole with a full glass of water (250ml). Do not chew or break capsules. If you are taking liquid flucloxacillin, drink a full glass of water after taking the dose. Do not lie down immediately after taking capsules or liquid.

Liquid flucloxacillin will usually be made up for you or your child by a pharmacist. The medicine will come with a plastic oral syringe or spoon to help you take the right amount.

If you do not have an oral syringe or spoon, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon because it will not measure the right amount.

These common side effects of flucloxacillin happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:

Stick to simple meals and try not to eat rich or spicy food.

If you're being sick, take small, frequent sips of fluids such as water or squash to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee.

If you take the combined pill or the progestogen-only pill and you are being sick, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.

Drink lots of fluids such as water or squash to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.

If you take the combined pill or the progestogen-only pill and you have severe, watery diarrhoea, or any diarrhoea that lasts for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.

Try not to eat foods that cause farting (flatulence), like lentils, peas, beans and onions. You could also try eating smaller meals, eating and drinking more slowly, and exercising regularly.

Keep taking flucloxacillin, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.

You can take flucloxacillin during pregnancy. Check with a pharmacist or doctor before taking it.

It's OK to take flucloxacillin while breastfeeding.

Only tiny amounts of flucloxacillin get into breast milk, so it's unlikely to cause any side effects in your baby. Always check with a pharmacist or doctor before taking it.

It's important to treat an infection while you're breastfeeding as there's a risk that it could make you unwell if left untreated.

It's very rare for breastfed babies to have side effects from medicines you're taking. But it's important to keep monitoring your baby if you're taking any medicine while breastfeeding.

Contact your healthcare professional or call 111 as soon as possible if you notice that your baby:

• is not feeding as well as usual
• is being sick (vomiting) or has diarrhoea
• has oral thrush (a fungal infection in their mouth) or a skin rash

If your baby has any symptoms that are not listed, or if you're worried about them, you can also call 111 or contact any healthcare professional.

Carry on taking flucloxacillin, and keep breastfeeding as usual until you've got advice about your baby's symptoms.

Some medicines can affect the way that flucloxacillin works and increase the chance of you having side effects.

Check with a pharmacist or your doctor if you're taking any other medicines, including:

• methotrexate, an anti-inflammatory medicine for arthritis and similar conditions
• warfarin, a medicine to prevent blood clots
• medicines to treat gout including probenecid and sulfinpyrazone
• voriconazole, a medicine used to treat fungal infections
• other antibiotics

These are not all the medicines that may cause problems if you take them with flucloxacillin. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

Tell your doctor if you've recently had, or are due to have, an oral typhoid vaccination. Flucloxacillin can make it less effective.