Amoxicillin + Cloxacillin

Dosage Forms Available

• In some locations, this combination may be available as tablets, capsules or powder that is mixed with water before use.
• Some formulations may also be available as injections. An injection should be administered only by a trained healthcare professional.
• The available dosage forms and amounts of both medicines may differ by product and country.

Age and Dose Restrictions

• The dose is determined according to the patient’s age, weight, infection site and severity, kidney function, and the amount of each medicine in the product.
• Give this medicine to children or newborn babies only when a doctor has calculated the dose according to their weight.
• Older adults and patients with severe kidney problems may require a dose adjustment or additional monitoring.

Contraindications

• Do not take this medicine if you have had a serious allergic reaction to amoxicillin, cloxacillin, another penicillin or any other ingredient in the product.
• Tell your doctor if a penicillin or a related antibiotic has previously caused difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or a serious skin reaction.
• Tell your doctor before starting treatment if you have previously had a serious allergic reaction to a cephalosporin antibiotic.
• Do not start this medicine on your own for a sore throat accompanied by severe tiredness. Amoxicillin can increase the risk of a skin rash in certain viral infections.

Other Medications to Avoid With This Medicine

• Probenecid can slow the removal of penicillin antibiotics from the body and increase their levels in the blood.
• When taken with blood-thinning medicines such as warfarin, additional blood tests and dose monitoring may be required.
• Taking it with methotrexate may increase the risk of methotrexate-related side effects.
• Taking amoxicillin with allopurinol may increase the risk of a skin rash.
• Tell your doctor or about all other antibiotics, prescription medicines, non-prescription medicines and supplements you take.
• No major interaction with antacids or iron supplements has been firmly established. However, follow the product instructions or your doctor’s advice about when to take them.

Overdose and Missed Dose

• An overdose may cause nausea, vomiting, severe diarrhoea, abdominal pain, reduced urination, crystals in the urine, confusion or seizures.
• Seek immediate medical help if too much medicine has been taken or if a child takes it accidentally.
• If you miss a dose, take it when you remember. If it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take 2 doses together.

Management of Side Effects

• Whether this medicine should be taken with food or on an empty stomach may depend on the product. Food may reduce the absorption of cloxacillin, so follow the instructions provided by your doctor.
• Consult your doctor if nausea or stomach discomfort continues. Do not stop the medicine or begin taking it with food without advice.
• Drink enough fluids if you have mild diarrhoea. Contact a doctor immediately if the diarrhoea is persistent, watery or bloody.
• Consult your doctor if you develop a skin rash. Stop taking the medicine and seek immediate medical help if you develop swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing or skin blisters.

Driving and Operating Machinery

• This medicine does not usually directly affect the ability to drive or operate machinery.
• Do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you experience dizziness, confusion, seizures or feel unwell.

Use in Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use this combination during pregnancy only when a doctor considers it necessary. The former “pregnancy category B” system is no longer the standard method for describing medicine safety during pregnancy.
• Small amounts of both medicines may pass into breast milk. This combination may be used during breastfeeding on a doctor’s advice.
• Contact a doctor if a breastfed baby develops diarrhoea, a skin rash or white patches in the mouth.

Caution in Other Conditions

• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, a history of seizures or a history of severe diarrhoea after taking an antibiotic.
• During prolonged treatment, your doctor may monitor your kidney function, liver function and blood counts.
• High doses of penicillin antibiotics may increase the risk of seizures in patients with severe kidney problems.

Special Dietary and Lifestyle Recommendations

• Drink enough fluids, particularly if you experience vomiting or diarrhoea.
• No major direct interaction between alcohol and amoxicillin or cloxacillin has been firmly established. However, alcohol may worsen nausea or dizziness and may interfere with recovery.
• Yoghurt or probiotics are not essential. If you wish to take them, ask your doctor how much time to leave between the probiotic and the antibiotic.
• Maintain good hand hygiene and do not share antibiotics with another person.