DICLOXACILLIN: WHAT IT IS FOR, HOW IT WORKS AND EFFECTS - MEDICINE - 2025

The dicloxacillin is a second generation antibiotic used to treat infections caused by bacteria resistant to penicillin. This drug entered approved medical use in 1968 in the United States and is used today worldwide to treat many common infections.

It is an antibiotic of the same type as penicillin and its way of fighting bacteria is by stopping their growth or in some cases killing them, in a mechanism known as antibiosis.

Image recovered from labhg.com.ec.

Dicloxacillin is used to treat a large number of diseases, which will be discussed below. Among them, skin conditions or infections related to the respiratory system can be highlighted.

What is it for? Dicloxacillin uses

Dicloxacillin has a specifically active agent to combat bacterial-infectious strains resistant to most penicillin-type antibiotics.

This type of bacteria, such as staphylococcus aureus, are distributed throughout the world, estimating that one third of the population is colonized but not infected.

They are the main cause of disease in humans. Infections of the skin or soft tissues such as abscesses, boils, external otitis, folliculitis, and cellulitis can be effectively treated with dicloxacillin, in regular doses under strict medical supervision.

Although most of these infections are not as serious, these bacteria can infect the bloodstream.

They are also recognized as causing respiratory tract infections such as pharyngitis, bronchitis or pneumonia. These diseases can be treated in their primary or intermediate stages with dicloxacillin and obtain good results.

Diseases such as osteomyelitis and infections in the joints are also caused by this type of bacteria, but they can also be treated with dicloxacillin.

When cases of infection become severe, hospitalization and immediate intravenous antibiotic treatment are necessary, where dicloxacillin in stronger concentrations is the most likely option.

How does dicloxacillin work?

Chemical structure of dicloxacillin

Dicloxacillin works through antibiosis. This process occurs when an organism produces substances that can kill another organism that exists in the same environment, in an attempt to have more space and nutrients for itself. The coexistence between the two organisms is prevented by a kind of microscopic chemical warfare.

In this way, the antibiotic fights the bacteria when both organisms are in the same environment. The concept of antibiosis is in contrast to that of symbiosis, which is when organisms do coexist with each other and in a mutually beneficial relationship.

In the case of dicloxacillin, it is capable of inhibiting the creation of the chains that bind the cell walls of certain bacteria, compromising their integrity.

This allows the conflictive interaction between both organisms and the eventual destruction of the bacteria. Other penicillin-type antibiotics would encounter resistance in this cellular setting.

This antibiotic only works to treat infections caused by bacteria. It does not work against infections caused by viruses such as the flu and the common cold.

How to use?

Dicloxacillin is taken orally in capsule form, usually 4 times a day or every 6 hours, or at the interval indicated by the doctor. The capsules come in various generic 250 and 500 milligram presentations.

The dose will depend on the medical condition of the patient and the response to treatment. Intervals are very important to the effectiveness of antibiotics, as they work best when the amount of medicine is kept at constant levels within the body.

It should be taken on an empty stomach, one hour before eating or two hours after, with a full glass of water. It is advisable to maintain fluid intake while using this medication, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Symptoms may disappear even if there are several days to finish the antibiotic doses in treatment. For this reason, it is indicated that it is necessary to reach the last capsule established in the prescription.

Stopping doses of the drug early can cause the bacteria to continue growing, causing the infection to relapse. In this case or in any in which the condition persists, the doctor should be informed immediately.

It is also important to emphasize that the excessive use of the drug or its unnecessary administration can lead to a reduction in its effectiveness.

What are the secondary effects?

Dicloxacillin can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. For this reason, it is important to stay under strict medical supervision when using this drug, especially if these side effects persist or become more serious.

Importantly, if dicloxacillin was prescribed as part of a treatment, the doctor has already determined that the benefits outweigh the risks for side effects.

In case of very liquid diarrhea with blood, a doctor should be called immediately and it is recommended not to take any anti-diarrheal medicine.

Although very rare, the following side effects may also occur: dark urine, abdominal pain, yellowing of the eyes or skin, fever, severe sore throat, swelling of the mouth, lips, or tongue, strange bruising, or unusual bleeding.

These cases are considered serious and should receive emergency medical attention. To prevent dicloxacillin from having greater unexpected effects, any condition or disease that you have as well as allergies of any kind should be previously reported.

Allergic reactions to this antibiotic are very unlikely, but you should see a doctor immediately if they occur: irritation of the skin or mucous membranes of the mouth, severe dizziness and shortness of breath.

Interactions

Dicloxacillin, like most antibiotics, can alter its functions when it is in interaction with another type of medication.

Only a patient's doctor or pharmacist can fully understand these phenomena, which is why it is important to communicate at all times and with utmost accuracy all the medications that they regularly consume, as well as changes in these doses.

These are some of the most important interactions of dicloxacillin:

• Take special care with methotrexate, tetracycline, and warfarin.
• Many antibiotics can decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives such as the pill, blisters, patches, or rings.
• The consumption of dicloxacillin can give false positives in urine tests to determine diabetes, specifically those of reaction with Cupric Sulfate.
• It can cause variations in laboratory results, so before taking the sample it is important to inform the treatment personnel.

Not all medications that interact with dicloxacillin are mentioned in this article, so it is crucial to show the doctor a list of everything that is commonly consumed, from drugs to vitamins, herbs or supplements, anyway.

Overdose

The most serious symptoms of a dicloxalicin overdose are fainting and / or trouble breathing. In case this happens it is important to call the local emergency services, especially if these include severe vomiting, persistent diarrhea, unusual change in the amount of urine or seizures.

Precautions

Before establishing treatment with dicloxacillin, like any type of antibiotics, it is necessary to inform the doctor if you suffer from digestive problems, diseases related to the liver or kidneys, clotting disorders, previous history of diarrhea when taking antibiotics, asthma or any type allergy.

The product may contain inactive ingredients that cause allergic reactions or other problems, so details should not be omitted when speaking with your doctor or pharmacist. It is important to pay particular attention to a history of kidney disease.

Dicloxacillin can cause live bacterial vaccines to not work optimally, such as typhoid vaccines. It is advisable not to carry out any type of immunization during treatment unless the doctor indicates it.

It is not known if this medicine affects the fetus, but in the case of women it is recommended to inform about pregnancy or if it is planned to have a baby.

If you are breastfeeding, you should inform your doctor, since dicloxacillin can be transferred through breast milk and could harm the baby.

Additional Information

This antibiotic should not be shared with other people. Each treatment is unique and it is vitally important that it is followed to the letter. Additionally, dicloxacillin is prescribed according to a current specific medical condition, so it should not be reused for future infections without prior medical indication.

If you are taking dicloxacillin for a long time, it is best to perform regular medical and laboratory tests to monitor progress and look for dangerous side effects.

If a dose is missed, either through forgetfulness or for any other reason, the patient should take it as soon as they remember. If the time is very close to the next dose, it is better to skip the missed dose and go back to the usual schedule. You should never double a dose to "recover the treatment", but to recover the same rhythm that was carried out.

It should be noted that dicloxacillin should be stored in a cool, dry environment. The presentations in pills or tablets should be kept in a suitable container, properly closed, away from any excess heat or humidity. This medication should never be stored in the bathroom.

Important note

This article is for informational or general culture purposes only, and is not intended to serve as a clinical reference base to supply any type of medication in any case mentioned. If needed, see a doctor or drug specialist.

References

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7. National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health & Human Services. Drug record - Dicloxacillin. US National Library of Medicine. Recovered from livertox.nih.gov.