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Flucloxacillin

  • Flucloxacillin should be taken half to one hour before food.
  • Make sure you complete the full course, even if you feel better.
  • Oral contraceptives may be less effective when taken with flucloxacillin.

About flucloxacillin

Type of medicine Antibiotic
Used for Skin and soft tissue infections (e.g. boils, impetigo and infected eczema, burns and wounds)
Respiratory tract infections (e.g. pneumonia, sinusitis)
Sometimes used to prevent infections during major surgery, (e.g. bone or heart surgery)
Also called Floxapen
Available as Capsules
Oral solution/syrup
Injection

Flucloxacillin works by killing bacteria.

Before taking flucloxacillin

Before taking flucloxacillin make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
  • If you have ever had a bad reaction to another antibiotic.
  • If you suffer from liver or kidney problems.

How to take flucloxacillin

  • Flucloxacillin is usually taken four times a day.
  • Flucloxacillin should be taken half to one hour before food.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • Make sure you complete the full course, even if you feel better.
  • If you are on a very long course, your doctor may take blood tests to check your liver and kidney function.
  • Important: Oral contraceptives may be less effective when taken with flucloxacillin. To prevent an unwanted pregnancy you should use a barrier method of contraception such as a condom while you are taking flucloxacillin and for at least 7 days after the course of treatment has ended. If the week following the antibiotic course runs into your pill free week, the next pack of oral contraceptives should be started immediately, without a break. If you are taking the form of contraceptive pill which is taken every day or need further advice, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Can flucloxacillin cause problems

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people
who take this medicine		 What can I do if I experience this
Diarrhoea Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids.
Rash If this persists speak to your doctor.

Important: Flucloxacillin can sometimes cause inflammation of the bowel (colitis). For this reason, if you get diarrhoea that becomes severe or persistent or contains blood or mucus, either during or after taking this medicine, you should consult your doctor immediately.
Important: If you experience a skin rash, itching, fever (high temperature), jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), joint pains, swelling of the tongue, throat or face, stop taking flucloxacillin and contact your doctor immediately.

How to store flucloxacillin

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines


  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
© EMIS 2007 DocID:
3441		 DocRef:
dils2573		 Last Updated:
19 Jul 2007		 Date of Next Review:
18 Jul 2009		 Version:
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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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