LoginFlucil
Generic Name: flucloxacillin sodium
Product Name: Flucil
Indication: What Flucil is used for
Flucil is an antibiotic used to treat some infections in different parts of the body caused by bacteria. Flucil will not work against infections caused by viruses, such as colds.
Your doctor may have prescribed Flucil for another reason. Ask your doctor why Flucil has been prescribed for you.
This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
There is no evidence that Flucil is addictive.
Action: How Flucil works
Flucil is an antibiotic that belongs to a group of medicines called penicillins. These antibiotics work by killing the bacteria that are causing your infection.
Flucil is a narrow spectrum antibiotic with considerable activity against the following Gram-positive organisms:
- Beta-lactamase-producing Staphylococcus aureus;
- Penicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus;
- Streptococcus pyogenes;
- Streptococcus pneumoniae.
It is less active than benzylpenicillin against organisms which are sensitive to benzylpenicillin. It is not active against Gram-negative bacilli, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), nor Streptococcus faecalis.
Flucil Powder for Injection contains contains flucloxacillin sodium, 500 mg and 1 g (soluble in water). Flucil Powder for Injection contains no antiseptics or buffering agents nor are there any excipients.
Dose advice: How to use Flucil
Before you are given Flucil
When you must not be given it
Do not use Flucil if:
- Your skin and/or eyes have turned yellow (jaundice) while, or soon after receiving flucloxacillin (Flucil);
- You have an allergy to Flucil or other penicillins. Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, itching and difficulty breathing;
- You have had an allergic reaction to cephalosporins. You may have an increased chance of being allergic to Flucil if you are allergic to cephalosporins.
If you are not sure whether you should be given Flucil, talk to your doctor.
Before you are given it
Flucloxacillin (Flucil) can cause jaundice (yellowing of skin and/or eyes) and severe liver disease which may last for a long time. This reaction is more frequent in older patients (particularly those over 55 years of age) and those who receive the drug for more than 14 days.
You must tell your doctor if:
- You have an allergy to Flucil or other penicillins;
- You have had any type of allergic reaction to cephalosporin medicines. You may have an increased chance of being allergic to Flucil if you are allergic to cephalosporins;
- You have any allergies to any other medicines or any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes. This may include medicines that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop;
- Your skin and/or eyes have turned yellow (jaundice) while, or soon after, receiving any antibiotics;
- You have or have ever had any other health problems/medical conditions, including kidney or liver disease;
- You are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using Flucil during pregnancy;
- You are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using Flucil when breastfeeding.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you are given Flucil.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop. Some medicines may interfere with Flucil. These include probenecid (Benemid).
These medicines may be affected by Flucil, or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid whilst receiving Flucil.
Some antibiotics may decrease the effectiveness of some birth control pills. Talk to your doctor about the need for an additional method of contraception whilst receiving Flucil.
How Flucil is given
Flucil may be given in two ways:
- As a slow injection into a vein;
- As a deep injection into a large muscle, a joint or the sac surrounding the lung.
Flucil must only be given by a doctor or nurse.
Your doctor will decide what the dose is and for how long you will receive Flucil. This depends on your infection and other factors, such as your weight. For most infections, Flucil is usually given in divided doses throughout the day. Sometimes only a single dose of Flucil is required for the treatment and prevention of certain infections.
If you have too much (overdose)
A very large overdose of Flucil can cause brain upsets, including fits.
After you have been given Flucil
Things you must do
If the symptoms of your infection do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, tell your doctor.
If you develop itching with swelling or skin rash or difficulty breathing after you have been given Flucil, contact your doctor immediately.
If you develop yellow eyes and/or skin (jaundice) while, or soon after receiving Flucil, contact your doctor immediately.
If you get severe diarrhoea, tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately. Do this even if it occurs up to several weeks after Flucil has been stopped. Diarrhoea may mean that you have a serious condition affecting your bowel. You may need urgent medical care. Do not take any diarrhoea medicine without first checking with your doctor.
If you get a sore white mouth or tongue after you have been given Flucil, tell your doctor. Also, tell your doctor if you get a vaginal itching or discharge. This may mean you have a fungal infection called thrush. Sometimes the use of Flucil allows fungi to grow and the above symptoms to occur. Flucil does not work against fungi.
If you become pregnant while you are receiving Flucil, tell your doctor.
If you have to have any tests tell your doctor you have been given Flucil. Flucil may affect the results of some tests.
Tell any doctor, dentist or pharmacist who is treating you that you have been given Flucil.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Flucil affects you. Flucil generally does not cause any problems with your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. However, as with many other medicines, Flucil may cause dizziness, drowsiness or tiredness in some people.
After receiving Flucil
Storage
Keep Flucil in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Schedule of Flucil
Flucil is a Schedule 4 medicine.
Side effects of Flucil
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you have any problems whilst receiving Flucil, even if you do not think the problems are connected with the medicine or are not listed in this leaflet.
Like other medicines, Flucil can cause some side effects. If they occur, most are likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Whilst being given Flucil
Tell your doctor immediately or go to casualty at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:
- A severe rash;
- Wheezing;
- Irregular heartbeat;
- Feeling faint;
- Yellow skin and/or eyes.
Also tell your doctor if you notice:
- Pain or redness at the site of injection;
- Oral thrush, white, furry, sore tongue and mouth;
- Vaginal thrush, sore and itchy vagina and/or discharge;
- A mild rash.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. These include very rare conditions such as blood, liver and kidney problems or fits.
After finishing Flucil
Tell your doctor if your skin and/or eyes have turned yellow (jaundice) while or soon after receiving flucloxacillin (Flucil).
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following side effects, particularly if they occur several weeks after finishing treatment with Flucil:
- Severe abdominal cramps or stomach cramps;
- Watery and severe diarrhoea, which may also be bloody;
- Fever, in combination with one or both of the above.
These are rare but serious side effects. Flucil can change bacteria (which are normally present in the bowel and normally harmless) to multiply and therefore cause the above symptoms. You may need urgent medical attention. Do not take any diarrhoea medicine without first checking with your doctor.
An illness consisting of a rash, swollen glands, joint pains and fever may occur about a week after treatment.
Tell your doctor if you notice any side effects.
This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Others may occur in some people and there may be some side effects not yet known. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are concerned.
For further information talk to your doctor.
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