METHICILLIN

Brand & Generic Names

Staphcillin

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Antibiotic (penicillin)

Uses

Treatment of bacterial infections that are susceptible to methicillin.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
By injection only.

When to take:
Follow doctor's instructions.

If you forget a dose:
Consult doctor.

What drug does:
Destroys susceptible bacteria. Does not kill viruses.

Time lapse before drug works:
May be several days before medicine affects infection.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Severe diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Hives, rash, intense Seek emergency itching, faintness treatment immediately. soon after a dose (anaphylaxis).

Common:

Dark or discolored tongue.

Infrequent:

• Mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
• Bloody urine, face and ankle swelling.

Rare:

Unexplained bleeding or bruising, weakness, sore throat, fever, abdominal cramps, convulsions.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to methicillin, cephalosporin antibiotics, other penicillins or penicillamine. Life-threatening reaction may occur.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you are allergic to any substance or drug.
• If you take birth control pills.

Over age 60:
You may have skin reactions, particularly around genitals and anus.

Pregnancy:
Studies inconclusive on harm to unborn child. Animal studies show fetal abnormalities. Decide with your doctor whether drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Child may become sensitive to penicillins and have allergic reactions to penicillin drugs. Avoid methicillin or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
No problems expected.

Prolonged use:

• You may become more susceptible to infections caused by germs not responsive to methicillin.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check SGPT*, SGOT*.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Usually not dangerous. Most hazardous reactions likely to occur a few minutes after taking methicillin.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.

Others:

• May interfere with the accuracy of some medical tests.
• Birth control pills may not be effective. Use additional birth-control methods.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Beta-adrenergic	Increased chance
blockers*	of anaphylaxis (see EMERGENCY
	Information).
Birth control pills	Impaired contraceptive efficiency.
Chloramphenicol	Decreased effect of both drugs.
Erythromycins*	Decreased effect of both drugs.
Loperamide	Decreased methicillin effect.
Paromomycin	Decreased effect of both drugs.
Probenecid	Increased effect of all
	penicillins.
Tetracyclines*	Decreased effect of both drugs.
Troleandomycin	Decreased effect of both drugs.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Occasional stomach irritation.
Acidic fruits or juices,	Decreased antibiotic effect.
Cocaine:	No proven problems.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	No proven problems.
Tobacco:	None expected.