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Pivmecillinam

  • Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics.
  • Take at regular intervals. Complete the prescribed course unless otherwise directed.
  • You will need to have regular blood tests to check your kidney and liver function.

About pivmecillinam

Type of medicine Antibiotic
Used for To treat infections due to mecillinam-sensitive organisms
Examples: bladder infections, typhoid fever (infection causing high temperature and stomach problems), salmonellosis (diarrhoea, high temperature, stomach cramps)
Also called Selexid
Available as Tablets

Pivmecillinam works by killing bacteria which cause infection.

Before taking pivmecillinam

Before taking pivmecillinam make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
  • If you are allergic to penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics.
  • If you suffer from porphyria (a type of blood disorder).
  • If you have a carnitine deficiency (carnitine is needed in the body to release energy from fat).
  • If you have a oesophageal stricture.
  • If you have any blockage in the gut.
  • If you suffer from kidney problems.
  • In infants under 3 months.

How to take pivmecillinam

  • Take this medication with or after food.
  • Take this medication with plenty of water.
  • Take at regular intervals. Complete the prescribed course unless otherwise directed.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • You will need to have regular blood tests to check your kidney and liver function.

Can pivmecillinam 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
Feeling or being sick Stick to simple foods such as dry toast
Drink plenty of liquid
Take medication with or after food
Indigestion Eat little and often
Take medication with or after food
Diarrhoea Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids
Itchy rash Your pharmacist may be able to recommend a lotion to soothe the rash

How to store pivmecillinam

  • 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 2006 DocID:
1469		 DocRef:
dils3692		 Last Updated:
30 Oct 2006		 Date of Next Review:
29 Oct 2008		 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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