nafcillin

(naf SILL in)
Unipen

What is the most important information I should know about nafcillin?

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Take all of the nafcillin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may begin to improve before the infection is completely treated.

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Do not break, chew, open, or crush the capsules. Swallow them whole.

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Nafcillin may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use a second method of birth control while taking nafcillin to protect against pregnancy.

What is nafcillin?

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Nafcillin is an antibiotic in the class of drugs called penicillins. It fights bacteria in your body.

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Nafcillin is used to treat many different types of bacterial infections, especially those caused by staphylococcus bacteria ("staph" infections).

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Nafcillin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take nafcillin?

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If you have ever had an allergic reaction to another penicillin or to a cephalosporin, do not take nafcillin unless your doctor is aware of your allergy and monitors your therapy.

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Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, stomach or intestinal disease, or infectious mononucleosis. You may not be able to take nafcillin because of an increased risk of side effects.

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If you are a diabetic, some glucose urine tests may give false positive results while you are taking nafcillin.

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Nafcillin is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is unlikely to harm an unborn baby. Nafcillin is generally considered to be safe for use during pregnancy. Do not, however, take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

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It is not known whether nafcillin passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take nafcillin?

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Take nafcillin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

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Take each dose with a full glass of water.

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Nafcillin should be taken at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night to keep the level in your blood high enough to treat the infection.

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Take all of the nafcillin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated.

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Store the capsules at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

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If you have only missed one dose, you can take the rest of your scheduled doses for the day at evenly spaced intervals.

What happens if I overdose?

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Seek emergency medical attention.

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Symptoms of a nafcillin overdose include muscle spasms or weakness, pain or twitching, pain in the fingers or toes, loss of feeling in the fingers or toes, seizures, confusion, coma, and agitation.

What should I avoid while taking nafcillin?

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Alcohol may irritate your stomach if taken with nafcillin, so use it with moderation.

What are the possible side effects of nafcillin?

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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking nafcillin and seek emergency medical attention:

an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of your throat; hives; swelling of your lips, face, or tongue; rash; or fainting);

seizures;

severe watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps; or

unusual bleeding or bruising.

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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take nafcillin and talk to your doctor if you experience

mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain;

white patches on the tongue (thrush/yeast infection);

itching or discharge of the vagina (vaginal yeast infection); or

black, "hairy" tongue or sore mouth or tongue.

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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect nafcillin?

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Some drugs may decrease the effects of nafcillin and prevent it from properly treating your infection. Before taking nafcillin, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid); or

another antibiotic (for the same or for a different infection) such as erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E-Mycin, E.E.S., others), tetracycline (Sumycin, others), minocycline (Minocin), doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin, others), or any other.

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Nafcillin may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use a second method of birth control while taking nafcillin to protect against pregnancy.

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Probenecid (Benemid) may increase the effects of nafcillin. These drugs may be used together for this purpose; however, be sure your doctor is aware if you are taking probenecid. You may need a lower dose of nafcillin.

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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with nafcillin. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

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Your pharmacist has additional information about nafcillin written for health professionals that you may read.

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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.