Dosing and uses of Dicloxacillin
Adult dosage forms and strengths
capsule
- 125mg
- 250mg
- 500mg
oral suspension
- 62.5mg/5mL
Infections
Indicated for Staphylococcus aureus infections
125-500 mg PO q6hr
Take on empty stomach
Other Indications & Uses
Infections resistant to penicillin G: staph, strep
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
capsule
- 125mg
- 250mg
- 500mg
oral suspension
- 62.5mg/5mL
Infections
Indicated for Staphylococcus aureus infections
<40 kg: 12.5-25 mg/kg/day PO divided q6hr
Severe infection: 50-100 mg/kg/day PO divided q6hr
40 kg or greater: As adult; 125-500 mg PO q6hr
Take on empty stomach
Dicloxacillin adverse (side) effects
1-10%
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Nausea
<1%
Anemia
Elevated LFTs
Fever
Hypersensitivity
Nephritis
Pseudomembranous colitis
Seizures with extremely high doses &/or renal failure
Rash (maculopapular to exfoliative)
Vomiting
Vaginitis
Warnings
Contraindications
Allergy to penicillins, cephalosporins, imipenem
Initial Tx of severe infections
Not to be relied on in N/V, gastric dilatation, esophageal achalasia, intestinal hypermotility
Concomitant live bacterial vaccines
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: B
Lactation: excreted in breast milk, use caution
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Dicloxacillin
Half-Life: 0.6-0.8 hr
Peak Plasma Time: 0.5-2 hr
Protein Bound: 96%
Absorption: 35-76%, decreased by food
Distribution: widespread, highest in kidneys & liver, CSF low
Metabolism: hepatic CYP3A4
Excretion: renal, feces
Mechanism of action
Binds to one or more penicillin binding proteins, which in turn inhibit synthesis of bacterial cell walls. For treatment of infections caused by penicillinase-producing staphylococci. May use to initiate therapy when staphylococcal infection is suspected.<br> Resistance to this drug results from alterations in penicillin-binding proteins.
