Periclox

Description

Periclox Capsule: Uses, Dosing, and Important Information

Periclox Capsule contains flucloxacillin, an antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, especially those caused by staphylococci.

What is Periclox Used For?

Periclox Capsule is used to treat a range of infections, including:

• Serious Infections: Pneumonia, meningitis, endocarditis (heart valve infection), septicaemia (blood poisoning), and osteomyelitis (bone infection).
• Skin and Soft Tissue Infections: Staphylococcal skin infections, boils, abscesses, infected eczema, infected acne, and infected wounds.
• Other Infections: Sinusitis, tonsillitis, and enteritis (inflammation of the intestine).
• Preventive Use: Surgical prophylaxis (to prevent infection during surgery).
• Burns.

Dosing Information

Always follow your doctor’s instructions for dosage and administration.

Adult Dosing (including elderly patients)

• Oral: 250-500 mg three to four times a day.
• Intravenous (IV):
  • Typically, 0.25-1 gram (g) four times a day.
  • This dose may be doubled in severe cases.
  • For osteomyelitis, up to 8 g per day can be given in 3-4 divided doses.
  • For endocarditis:
    • Patients weighing less than 85 kg: Up to 8 g per day in 4 divided doses.
    • Patients weighing over 85 kg: 12 g per day in 6 divided doses.

Child Dosing

• Oral: 12.5-25 mg per kg of body weight, four times a day.
• Intravenous (IV):
  • Children 2-10 years: Half of the adult dose.
  • Children under 2 years: One-fourth of the adult dose.

Renal Dosing (Kidney Impairment)

• Creatinine Clearance (CrCl) less than 10 mL/min: Dosage adjustment may be necessary. Your doctor will determine the appropriate dose.

Administration

• When to Take: Periclox should be taken on an empty stomach, ideally 30 minutes to 1 hour before meals.
• Reconstitution for Injection (for IV use):
  • To dissolve 250-500 mg: Use 5-10 mL of water for injection.
  • To dissolve 1 g: Use 15-20 mL of water for injection.
  • For intravenous infusion, further dilute the prepared solution in suitable IV fluids (e.g., water for injection, 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl), 5% glucose, or 0.18% NaCl with 4% glucose).

Important Warnings and Precautions

Do Not Use Periclox If:

• You have a known hypersensitivity (allergy) to penicillins.
• You have porphyria (a group of rare genetic disorders affecting the nervous system or skin).

Special Considerations:

• Kidney or Heart Problems: Use very high doses with caution in patients with poor kidney function (risk of neurotoxicity) or heart failure.
• Skin Sensitization: Avoid skin contact with the drug, as skin sensitization may occur.
• Monitoring: Your doctor will monitor your serum potassium levels, kidney function, and blood status during treatment.
• Spirochete Infections (e.g., syphilis): Use with caution.
• Prolonged Use: Prolonged use may lead to overgrowth of penicillin-resistant organisms (suprainfection).
• Intrathecal Route: Avoid injecting this medication directly into the spinal canal (intrathecal route).
• Elderly Patients: Use with caution in elderly patients.
• Liver Impairment: Use with caution in patients with liver problems.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Pregnancy: Consult your doctor.
• Lactation (Breastfeeding): Flucloxacillin enters breast milk. Consult your doctor; generally, it is not recommended during breastfeeding.

Possible Drug Interactions

Tell your doctor about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements, as Periclox can interact with them.

• Methotrexate: Flucloxacillin may increase the risk of methotrexate toxicity.
• Estrogen-containing Oral Contraceptives: Flucloxacillin may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills containing estrogen.
• Probenecid: This medication can increase the levels of flucloxacillin in your blood.
• Bacteriostatic Drugs (e.g., chloramphenicol, tetracycline): These drugs may interfere with flucloxacillin’s ability to kill bacteria.
• Oral Anticoagulants (blood thinners): Flucloxacillin may prolong bleeding time in patients taking these medications.

Possible Side Effects

Like all medicines, Periclox can cause side effects. Some are common and mild, while others can be serious. If you experience any severe or concerning side effects, contact your doctor immediately.

• Allergic Reactions: Hives (urticaria), fever, joint pains, rashes, swelling (angioedema), serum sickness-like reactions.
• Blood Disorders: Hemolytic anemia, neutropenia (low white blood cells), thrombocytopenia (low platelets), agranulocytosis.
• Kidney: Interstitial nephritis (kidney inflammation).
• Nervous System: Central nervous system (CNS) toxicity, including convulsions (seizures).
• Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea, antibiotic-associated colitis (inflammation of the colon).
• Liver: Hepatitis (liver inflammation), cholestatic jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes due to bile flow issues).
• Injection Site: Phlebitis (inflammation of the vein) if given intravenously.

Potentially Fatal Side Effects:

• Anaphylaxis: A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction.
• Stevens-Johnson Syndrome: A severe, rare skin reaction.

How Periclox Works

Flucloxacillin works by stopping bacteria from building their cell walls. It binds to specific proteins inside the bacterial cell wall (called penicillin-binding proteins or PBPs), which are essential for the final steps of cell wall synthesis. This action effectively kills the bacteria. Flucloxacillin is particularly effective against staphylococci that produce penicillinase (an enzyme that breaks down some penicillins), as well as non-penicillinase-producing staphylococci.

Note: This information about Periclox 500mg Capsule, manufactured by Deurali Janta Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. (generic name: Flucloxacillin), is available in Nepal. This drug index information is for general knowledge only and is not intended for diagnosis, medical advice, or treatment. It should never replace the professional judgment of a healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for medical advice specific to your condition.