Generic Name: dicloxacillin (dye klox a SIL in)
Brand Names: Dycill, Dynapen
What is dicloxacillin?
Dicloxacillin is an antibiotic in the penicillin group of drugs. It fights bacteria in your body.
Dicloxacillin is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria such as bronchitis, pneumonia, or staphylococcal (also called "staph") infections.
Dicloxacillin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about dicloxacillin?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to dicloxacillin or to any other penicillin antibiotic, such as amoxicillin (Amoxil), ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen), carbenicillin (Geocillin), oxacillin (Bactocill), penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids), and others.
Before using dicloxacillin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to cephalosporins such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and others, or if you have asthma, liver disease, kidney disease, or a history of any type of allergy.
Dicloxacillin can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before taking dicloxacillin, tell your doctor if you use birth control pills. Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Dicloxacillin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Do not share this medication with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dicloxacillin?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to dicloxacillin or to any other penicillin antibiotic, such as:
amoxicillin (Amoxil, Amoxicot, Biomox, Dispermox, Trimox);
ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen);
carbenicillin (Geocillin);
oxacillin (Bactocill); or
penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids, and others).
Before using dicloxacillin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially cephalosporins such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and others), or if you have:
asthma;
liver disease;
kidney disease;
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
a history of diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics; or
a history of any type of allergy.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take dicloxacillin.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Dicloxacillin can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before taking dicloxacillin, tell your doctor if you use birth control pills. Dicloxacillin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take dicloxacillin?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take the medicine with a full glass of water. Dicloxacillin should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating a meal.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Dicloxacillin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Do not share this medication with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using dicloxacillin.
Store dicloxacillin at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
See also: Dicloxacillin dosage (in more detail)
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include confusion, behavior changes, a severe skin rash, urinating less than usual, or seizure (black-out or convulsions).
What should I avoid while taking dicloxacillin?
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
Dicloxacillin side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
urinating less than usual or not at all;
severe skin rash, itching, or peeling;
agitation, confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior; or
seizure (black-out or convulsions).
Less serious side effects may include:
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
vaginal itching or discharge;
headache;
swollen, black, or "hairy" tongue; or
thrush (white patches or inside your mouth or throat).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Dicloxacillin Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Bronchitis:
250 to 500 mg orally every 6 hours for 10 days, depending on the nature and severity of the infection.
Usual Adult Dose for Pharyngitis:
250 mg orally every 6 hours for 10 days, depending on the nature and severity of the infection.
Usual Adult Dose for Pneumonia:
500 mg orally every 6 hours for up to 21 days, depending on the nature and severity of the infection.
Usual Adult Dose for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection:
500 mg orally every 6 hours for 7 days, or for 3 days after acute inflammation resolves, depending on the nature and severity of the infection.
Usual Adult Dose for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection:
250 mg orally every 6 hours for 7 to 21 days, depending on the nature and severity of the infection.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection:
>40 kg: 125 to 250 mg orally every 6 hours.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection:
>40 kg: 125 to 250 mg orally every 6 hours.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Osteomyelitis:
Following initial intravenous therapy:
>= 1 year:
>40 kg: 250 mg orally every 6 hours, not to exceed 2000 mg/24 hours.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Pneumonia:
>40 kg: 250 mg orally every 6 hours.
What other drugs will affect dicloxacillin?
Before taking dicloxacillin, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall); or
probenecid (Benemid).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with dicloxacillin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
More dicloxacillin resources
- Dicloxacillin Side Effects (in more detail)
- Dicloxacillin Dosage
- Dicloxacillin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Dicloxacillin Drug Interactions
- Dicloxacillin Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Dicloxacillin - Add your own review/rating
- Dicloxacillin Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Dicloxacillin MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Dicloxacillin Sodium Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Dynapen Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
Compare dicloxacillin with other medications
- Bone infection
- Bronchitis
- Pharyngitis
- Pneumonia
- Skin Infection
- Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about dicloxacillin.
See also: dicloxacillin side effects (in more detail)
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