Dicloxacillin Viatris (Dicloxacillin Sodium)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Dicloxacillin Viatris Used For?
Dicloxacillin Viatris is an antibiotic that belongs to a group of medicines called penicillins. It works by killing the bacteria that are causing your infection.
Primary Uses
Dicloxacillin Viatris is used to treat infections in different parts of the body caused by bacteria. It will not work against infections caused by viruses, such as colds or flu.
How It Works
This medicine works by killing the bacteria that are causing your infection. It belongs to the penicillin group of antibiotics.
Good to know: There is no evidence that Dicloxacillin Viatris is addictive.
How to Take Dicloxacillin Viatris
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully. Take your medicine at about the same time each day for the best effect.
Dosage Instructions
For most infections, the usual dose for adults and children over 12 years is 250 mg to 500 mg every 6 hours. Swallow the capsules whole with a glass of water. Take Dicloxacillin Viatris on an empty stomach, 1 to 2 hours before food. Taking the capsules on an empty stomach means that more of the medicine is absorbed into your body.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your capsules as you would normally. Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- nausea (feeling sick)
- vomiting
- stomach upset
- wind
- loose stools
- oral thrush (white, furry sore tongue and mouth)
- vaginal thrush (sore and itchy vagina, vaginal discharge)
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- watery and severe diarrhoea, which may also be bloody
- blood in the urine
- excess protein in the urine
- severe stomach cramps
- yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- pale stools
- kidney problems
- any type of skin rash, itching or hives
- swelling of the face, lips, mouth, throat or other parts of the body
- shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
Important Warnings
Before taking Dicloxacillin Viatris, tell your doctor about any allergies or medical conditions you have.
Who Should Not Take Dicloxacillin Viatris
Do not take if you are allergic to medicines containing dicloxacillin or any other penicillin (e.g. amoxicillin), cephalosporin antibiotics, or any of the ingredients. Do not take if the expiry date has passed or if the packaging shows signs of tampering.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have had allergic reactions to other penicillins or cephalosporin antibiotics, stomach problems (nausea, vomiting, indigestion), problems with food absorption, liver problems, kidney problems, or cystic fibrosis. Your doctor may want to take special care or adjust your dose if you have any of these conditions.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking Dicloxacillin Viatris during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Like many other medicines, Dicloxacillin Viatris can pass into breast milk.
Elderly Patients: Some side effects occur more frequently in patients over 55 years old. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking Dicloxacillin Viatris with you.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Dicloxacillin Viatris and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
- probenecid (a medicine used to treat gout)
- warfarin (a medicine used to prevent blood clots)
- phenytoin (a medicine used to treat epilepsy)
Storage
Keep your capsules in the bottle until it is time to take them. Store below 25°C in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills. Keep it where young children cannot reach it – a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Overdose Information
If you think that you or anyone else has taken too much Dicloxacillin Viatris, urgent medical attention may be needed. You should immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia telephone 13 11 26) for advice, contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your symptoms of infection do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, tell your doctor. Continue taking the medicine for as long as your doctor recommends, even if you feel better.
No, take Dicloxacillin Viatris on an empty stomach, 1 to 2 hours before food. Taking the capsules on an empty stomach means that more of the medicine is absorbed into your body.
No, there is no evidence that Dicloxacillin Viatris is addictive.
Do not stop taking Dicloxacillin Viatris, even if you feel better after a few days, unless advised to by your doctor. If you stop taking it too soon, your infection may not clear completely and your symptoms may return.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
No, do not give Dicloxacillin Viatris to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours. Each person needs their own prescription from a doctor.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you get severe diarrhoea, even if it occurs several weeks after stopping Dicloxacillin Viatris. Do not take any medicine to stop your diarrhoea without first checking with your doctor.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.