CLOXACILLIN injectable

Therapeutic action

• Penicillin antibacterial

Indications

• Severe infections due to streptococci and/or staphylococci: meningitis, pneumonia, omphalitis, septicaemia of cutaneous origin, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, necrotizing skin and soft tissues infections, etc.
• Erysipelas, cellulitis

Forms and strengths, route of administration

• Powder for injection, in 500 mg vial, to be dissolved in 4 ml of water for injection, for IV infusion in 0.9% sodium chloride or 5% glucose, to be administered in 60 minutes

Dosage

Severe infections

• Neonate:
  • 0 to 7 days (< 2 kg): 50 mg/kg every 12 hours
  • 0 to 7 days (≥ 2 kg): 50 mg/kg every 8 hours
  • 8 days to < 1 month (< 2 kg): 50 mg/kg every 8 hours
  • 8 days to < 1 month (≥ 2 kg): 50 mg/kg every 6 hours
• Child 1 month and over: 25 to 50 mg/kg (max. 2 g) every 6 hours
• Adult: 2 g every 6 hours

Dilute each dose of cloxacillin in 5 ml/kg of 0.9% sodium chloride or 5% glucose in children less than 20 kg and in a bag of 100 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride or 5% glucose in children 20 kg and over and in adults.

Erysipelas, cellulitis
Neonate, child and adult: half of above dose

Duration

• Change to oral route as soon as possible with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid or cefalexin depending on the indication. Do not use oral cloxacillin for completion treatment following parenteral therapy.

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

• Do not administer to penicillin-allergic patients.
• Administer with caution to patients with allergy to cephalosporins (cross-sensitivity may occur) or with renal impairment (reduce the dose).
• May cause: gastrointestinal disturbances (particularly diarrhoea), allergic reactions sometimes severe; rarely, haematological disorders.
• Do not combine with methotrexate (increased methotrexate toxicity).
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: no contra-indication

Remarks

• Dicloxacillin, flucloxacillin and oxacillin are used for the same indications.
• Do not mix with other drugs in the same infusion.

Storage