Oxacillin

DEA Class; Rx

Common Brand Names; Bactocill

Indicated for the treatment of bacteremia due to methicillin-sensitive S. aureus.

Allergy to penicillins, cephalosporins, imipenem

Solutions containing dextrose may be contraindicated in patients with known allergy to corn or corn products

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Fever
• Rash
• Eosinophilia
• Leukopenia
• Neutropenia
• Thrombocytopenia
• Hepatotoxicity
• Elevated AST
• Acute interstitial nephritis
• Serum sickness-like reaction

Monitor neonates for renal impairment

Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic shock with collapse) reactions have occurred in patients receiving penicillin; although anaphylaxis is more frequent following parenteral administration, it has occurred in patients receiving oral penicillins

Whenever allergic reactions occur, penicillin should be withdrawn unless, in the opinion of the physician, the condition being treated is life-threatening and amenable only to penicillin therapy

The use of antibiotics may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms; if new infections due to bacteria or fungi occur, the drug should be discontinued and appropriate measures taken

When penicillin therapy is indicated, it should be initiated only after a comprehensive patient drug and allergy history obtained; if an allergic reaction occurs, the drug should be discontinued and the patient should receive supportive treatment, eg, artificial maintenance of ventilation, pressor amines, antihistamines, and corticosteroids

Individuals with a history of penicillin hypersensitivity may also experience allergic reactions when treated with a cephalosporin

Prescribing oxacillin Injection, USP in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or a prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug-resistant bacteria

In the treatment of suspected staphylococcal infections, therapy should be changed to another active agent if culture tests fail to demonstrate presence of staphylococci

Periodic assessment of organ system function including renal, hepatic, and hematopoietic should be made during prolonged therapy with oxacillin

Blood cultures, white blood cells, and differential cell counts should be obtained prior to initiation of therapy and at least weekly during therapy with oxacillin

Periodic urinalysis, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine determinations should be performed during therapy with oxacillin and dosage alterations should be considered if these values become elevated; if any impairment of renal function is suspected or known to exist, a reduction in the total dosage should be considered and blood levels monitored to avoid possible neurotoxic reactions

AST (SGOT) and ALT (SGPT) values should be obtained periodically during therapy to monitor for possible liver function abnormalities

Reproduction studies performed in the mouse, rat, and rabbit revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to penicillinase-resistant penicillins

Penicillins are excreted in human milk; caution should be exercised when penicillins are administered to a nursing woman