FLOXAPEN®
Flucloxacillin magnesium in syrup equivalent to 125mg/5mL or 250mg/5mL
flucloxacillin.
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about FLOXAPEN. It does not
contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you
using FLOXAPEN against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.
What FLOXAPEN is used for
FLOXAPEN is an antibiotic used to treat infections in different parts of the
body caused by bacteria.
FLOXAPEN will not work against infections caused by viruses such as colds or the
flu.
FLOXAPEN is an antibiotic that belongs to a group of medicines called
penicillins. These antibiotics work by killing the bacteria that are causing
your infection.
Your doctor may have prescribed FLOXAPEN for another reason. Ask your doctor if
you have any questions about why FLOXAPEN has been prescribed for you.
FLOXAPEN is not addictive.
Before you take FLOXAPEN
When you must not take it
Do not take FLOXAPEN if:
- you have an allergy to:
- FLOXAPEN
- other penicillins
- any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash,
itching, and difficulty breathing. - you have had an allergic reaction to cephalosporins.
You may have an increased chance of being allergic to FLOXAPEN if you are
allergic to cephalosporins. - you have had liver problems or jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes) with
FLOXAPEN or flucloxacillin before.
Do not take FLOXAPEN if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Do not take FLOXAPEN if the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.
If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking FLOXAPEN, contact your
doctor.
Before you start to take it
Tell your doctor if:
- you have any type of allergic reaction to cephalosporin medicines (another
antibiotic, e.g. cefaclor)
You may have an increased chance of being allergic to FLOXAPEN if you are
allergic to cephalosporins. - you have any allergies to any other medicines or any other substances,
such as foods, preservatives or dyes. - you have or have ever had any other health problems / medical conditions,
including:- asthma
- kidney problems
- liver problems
- you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefits of taking FLOXAPEN
during pregnancy. - you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.
Your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefits of taking FLOXAPEN
when breast-feeding.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before
you take FLOXAPEN.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including
medicines that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or
health food shop. Some medicines may interfere with FLOXAPEN. These include:-
- probenecid, a medicine used for gout
Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to tell you what to do when taking
FLOXAPEN with other medicines.
Talk to your doctor about the need for an additional method of contraception
while taking FLOXAPEN.
Some antibiotics may decrease the effectiveness of some birth control pills,
although this has not been shown with FLOXAPEN.
Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with
or avoid while taking FLOXAPEN.
How to take FLOXAPEN
How much to take
The dose will depend on the infection and the patient. Follow all
directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully. Their
directions may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
The usual dose is:
- Adults (including elderly patients): If using the 250mg/5mL strength: 10mL
initially and then either 5mL or 10mL every eight hours depending on how bad
the infection is. - Children 2-10 years: If using the 125mg/5mL strength, 10mL initially, then
5mL (one teaspoonful) every 8 hours. - Children Under 2 Years: If using the 125mg/5mL strength, 5mL initially,
then 2.5mL every 8 hours.
If you do not understand the instructions on the bottle, ask your doctor or
pharmacist for help.
How and when to take FLOXAPEN
Shake the syrup well before each dose, then make sure you measure the dose
accurately. Your pharmacist will be able to recommend a good measure to use.
Screw the lid back onto the bottle tightly after measuring the dose.
Take FLOXAPEN on an empty stomach, one hour before meals.
How long to take it
Continue taking FLOXAPEN until you finish the bottle or until your doctor
recommends.
Keep taking this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you
begin to feel better after a few days.
If you do not complete the full course prescribed by your doctor, the infection
may not clear completely or your symptoms may return.
If you forget to take it
If you forget to take a dose of FLOXAPEN take it as soon as you remember. If
it is nearly time for your next dose skip the dose you have missed and take the
next dose as you are meant to. Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose
you have missed. Try and remember to take it at the start of a meal.
If you are not sure whether to skip the dose, talk to your doctor or
pharmacist.
It is important to take the syrup as prescribed so it will work properly. If
you have trouble remembering to take the doses ask your pharmacist for hints.
If you take too much (overdose)
If you take too much FLOXAPEN you may get diarrhoea and nausea. If too
much syrup has been taken immediately telephone your doctor or the National
Poisons Information Centre (telephone 0800 POISON or 0800 764 766) for advice.
Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. Keep telephone
numbers of these places handy.
While you are using FLOXAPEN
Things you must do
- If the symptoms of your infection do not improve within a few days, or if
they become worse, tell your doctor. - If you develop itching with swelling or skin rash or difficulty breathing
while you are taking FLOXAPEN do not take any more and contact your doctor
immediately. - If you get severe diarrhoea tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse
immediately. Do this even if it occurs several weeks after FLOXAPEN has been
stopped.
Diarrhoea may mean that you have a serious condition affecting your bowel. You
may need urgent medical care. Do not take any diarrhoea medicine without first
checking with your doctor. - If you become pregnant while you are taking FLOXAPEN tell your doctor.
- If you are about to start taking any new medicine, tell your doctor and
pharmacist that you are taking FLOXAPEN. - If you have to have any blood tests tell your doctor you are taking
FLOXAPEN.
FLOXAPEN may affect the results of some blood tests.
- Tell all the doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that
you are taking FLOXAPEN.
Things you must not do
- Do not stop taking your mixture because you are feeling better, unless
advised by your doctor.
If you do not complete the full course prescribed by your doctor, all of the
bacteria causing your infection may not be killed. These bacteria may continue
to grow and multiply so that your infection may not clear completely or it may
return. - Do not give FLOXAPEN to anyone else, even if they have the same
condition as you. - Do not use FLOXAPEN to treat any other complaints unless your doctor
tells you to.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well
while you are taking FLOXAPEN.
Like other medicines, FLOXAPEN can cause some side effects. If they occur,
most are likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need
medical attention.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- Stomach upset, diarrhoea or other minor upsets of the digestive system.
These are the more common side effects of FLOXAPEN.
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
- Tiredness, generally feeling unwell, vomiting, jaundice, itching skin,
stomach pain. This could be liver disease. It can happen up to two months
after you have stopped taking FLOXAPEN. - symptoms such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers which
can be a sign of lack of white blood cells - skin rash, possibly with a fever
These may be signs of rare but serious side effects. You may need urgent
medical attention
If any of the following happen, stop taking FLOXAPEN and tell your doctor
immediately or go to the Accident and Emergency department at your nearest
hospital:
- sudden signs of allergy such as rash, itching or hives on the skin,
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, shortness of
breath, wheezing or trouble breathing - swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat which may cause
difficulty in swallowing or breathing
These are very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or
hospitalisation. These side effects are very rare.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Tell
your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand anything in this list.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not
experience any of them.
After finishing it
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following side
effects, particularly if they occur several weeks after stopping treatment with
FLOXAPEN:
- severe abdominal cramps or stomach cramps
- watery and severe diarrhoea, which may also be bloody
- fever, in combination with one or both of the above
You may have a serious condition affecting your bowel. Therefore, you may
need urgent medical attention. However, this side effect is very rare.
Do not take any diarrhoea medicine without first checking with your
doctor.
After using FLOXAPEN
Storage
Keep FLOXAPEN syrup in a cool place - you can use the refrigerator. Keep the
bottle tightly closed between giving doses. If there is any left 14 days after
you got it from the pharmacy ask your pharmacist what to do with it.
Do not store it or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not
leave it in the car or on window sills.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where children cannot reach it.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking the mixture or the mixture has
passed its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any mixture that is
left over.
Product description
What it looks like
A cream coloured syrup.
Ingredients
FLOXAPEN syrup contains flucloxacillin magnesium and the following
ingredients:
Sodium saccharin, Xanthan gum (Keltrol F), Citric acid, sodium citrate,
sodium benzoate, blood orange dry flavour, tutti frutti dry flavour, menthol dry
flavour, sucrose.
FLOXAPEN syrup does not contain lactose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo
dyes.