Dicloxacillin

The effect of warfarin/dicumarol may be reduced by concomitant treatment with dicloxacillin. If co-administration is necessary, the prothrombin time or international normalised ratio should be carefully monitored and adjustments in the dose of oral anticoagulants may be necessary.

Bacteriostatic drugs, such as the tetracyclines, may interfere with the bactericidal effect of penicillin. Such concomitant use should be avoided.

Concomitant treatment with methotrexate may result in increased effect/toxicity of methotrexate due to reduced elimination.

Probenecid inhibits the renal tubular excretion resulting in an increase in and prolongation of the plasma concentration of penicillin.

Antibiotic-associated colitis has been reported with nearly all antibacterial agents and may range in severity from mild to life threatening. Therefore, it is important to consider this diagnosis in patients who present with diarrhoea during or subsequent to the administration of any antibiotics. Should antibiotic-associated colitis occur, a physician should be consulted and an appropriate therapy initiated. Anti-peristaltic medicinal products are contra-indicated in this situation.

Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic shock with collapse) reactions have occurred in patients receiving penicillin. If an allergic reaction occurs, the drug should be discontinued and the patient should receive appropriate treatment.

Long clinical experience indicates low risk of harmful effects during pregnancy or to the foetus or newborn child.

Penicillins are excreted in human milk at low levels. Harmful effects to breast-fed babies are unlikely, though there may be a risk of effect on the oral and intestinal flora. Small quantities of the active ingredient in breast milk may give an increased risk of sensitizing. Caution should therefore be exercised when prescribing dicloxacillin to breast-feeding women.

Dicloxacillin has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.