Experiences with

Flucloxacillin

About flucloxacillin

Flucloxacillin is an antibiotic.

It's used to treat skin and wound infections, chest infections, such as pneumonia, and bone infections (osteomyelitis).

Flucloxacillin is used in children, often to treat ear infections and chest infections.

The medicine is available only on prescription. It comes as capsules or as a liquid that you drink. It can also be given by injection, but this is usually done in hospital.

Key facts

  • Take flucloxacillin on an empty stomach. This means 30 to 60 minutes before a meal or snack, or at least 2 hours after.
  • For most infections, you should feel better within a few days.
  • The most common side effects are feeling sick (nausea) and diarrhoea.
  • You can drink alcohol while taking flucloxacillin.
  • Flucloxacillin is called by the brand name Floxapen.

Who can and can't take flucloxacillin

Flucloxacillin can be taken by adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Flucloxacillin can be taken by children.

To make sure flucloxacillin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you:

  • have had an allergic reaction to penicillin, flucloxacillin or any other medicines in the past
  • have liver or kidney problems
  • have recently had, or are about to have, any vaccinations

How and when to take it

The usual dose of flucloxacillin is 250mg to 500mg taken 4 times a day. In children, the dose may be lower.

It's best to take flucloxacillin on an empty stomach. This means 30 to 60 minutes before a meal or snack, or at least 2 hours after.

Try to space your doses evenly throughout the day. For example, first thing in the morning (before breakfast), at around midday (before lunch), late in the afternoon (before tea) and at bedtime.

Important

Carry on taking this medicine until you've completed the course, even if you feel better. If you stop your treatment early, your problem could come back.

How to take it

Swallow flucloxacillin capsules whole with a drink of water. Do not chew or break them.

There's a liquid flucloxacillin available for children and people who find it difficult to swallow tablets.

If you or your child are taking flucloxacillin as a liquid, it'll usually be made up for you by your pharmacist. The medicine will come with a syringe or spoon to help you take the right amount. If you don't have a syringe or spoon, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give you the right amount.

What if I forget to take it?

If you forget to take a dose, take 1 as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, just leave out the missed dose and take your next dose as normal.

Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

What if I take too much?

Try to take the correct number of doses each day, leaving at least 3 hours between doses.

Taking an extra dose of flucloxacillin by accident is unlikely to harm you or your child.

Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you're worried or if you take more than 1 extra dose.

Side effects

Like all medicines, flucloxacillin can cause side effects in some people, although not everyone will get them.

Common side effects

These common side effects of flucloxacillin happen in more than 1 in 100 people. Keep taking the medicine, but tell your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or don't go away:

  • feeling sick (nausea)
  • being sick (vomiting) and diarrhoea
  • bloating and indigestion

Serious side effects

Serious side effects are rare and happen to less than 1 in 1,000 people.

Call a doctor straight away if you get:

  • diarrhoea (possibly with muscle cramps) that contains blood or mucus. If you have severe diarrhoea without blood or mucus for more than 4 days you should also speak to a doctor.
  • pale poo with dark pee, yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin - this can be a sign of liver problems
  • bruising or discoloured skin
  • joint or muscle pain that comes on after 2 days of taking the medicine

Some of these serious side effects may not happen for up to 2 months after finishing the course of flucloxacillin.

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to flucloxacillin.

These are not all the side effects of flucloxacillin. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.

You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme.

How to cope with side effects

What to do about:

  • feeling sick (nausea) - stick to simple meals and try not to eat rich or spicy food
  • being sick (vomiting) and diarrhoea - drink lots of fluids such as water or squash - take small, frequent sips if you are being sick to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
  • bloating and indigestion - try not to eat foods that cause wind (like lentils, peas, beans and onions). Eat smaller meals, eat and drink slowly, and exercise regularly. Pharmacy medicines like simethicone can also help.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It's usually safe to take flucloxacillin during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Important

For safety, tell your doctor if you're trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or if you're breastfeeding.

Cautions with other medicines

There are some medicines that don't mix well with flucloxacillin.

Tell your doctor if you're taking these medicines before you start flucloxacillin:

  • methotrexate
  • a blood thinner called warfarin
  • other antibiotics

You should also let your doctor know if you've recently had, or are about to have, any vaccinations.

Mixing flucloxacillin with herbal remedies and supplements

There are no known problems with taking herbal remedies and supplements with flucloxacillin.

Important

For safety, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.

Common questions

HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence

87 public posts

Flucloxacillin

Hi everyone - I just finished a course of flucloxacillin tablets for an ear infection. I have the most horrible, sour taste in mouth! Has this happened to anyone else? I’ve heard the liquid is horrible so would make sense!
in British Tinnitus Association

Flucloxacillin & Kidneys

Is flucloxacillin safe to take with polycystic kidney disease?
in PMRGCAuk

Antibiotics and immunosupressant??

Hello, I just managed to get an eye infection and the GP prescribed chloramphenicol eye ointment and flucloxacillin. I already take methotrexate, hydroxichloroquine and prednisolone. She told me to check with the rheumatology nurse to see if I need to stop the immunosuppressant.
in NRAS
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Swollen hands

Had a phone Consultation with the doctor who gave me flucloxacillin and fucibet cream. Seems the anti biotics helped as it cleared. 2 days since finishing the meds my hands are red and Swollen again .. could this be water retention? Trying to see a doctor is impossible!
in High Blood Pressure Support

Circumcision infection

I was prescribed flucloxacillin tablets and an antibiotic ointment to use and returning in a couple of days either to check it works or remove more of the pus?
in Men's Health Forum (Penis Health)

Is this a problem cause by vaccination?

Flucloxacillin was prescribed and though it's only two days nothing has changed. Idly looking at the pil Isee apart from a couple of other things that any vaccination is to be considered. I had my Covid Jab last Sunday. I feel wretched . Could this be why ? TIA Pp
in Thyroid UK

Can I take Flucloxacillin with Solpadol 30mg/500mg?

I'm in pain with infected insect bite, also long term pain with back problems
in Pain Concern

blisters and burning sensation

what can i put on small blisters on my leg caused by lymphedema,i have been put on the antibiotic tablets Flucloxacillin 2x 500 mg 4 times a day i am a new member to the site and would be glad of any advice, i was only diagnosed 3 days ago, all my G.P said was to keep my leg creamed but not with
in LSN

Flucloxacillin for an insect bite improved my IBS quality of life

During lockdown this year i got a really bad insect bite and was given a 2 week prescription for 500mg Flucloxacillin.
in IBS Network

Flucloxacillin suspension

What can I mix flucloxacillin suspension with? My daughter is quite distressed when I give it to her as it is so bitter
in MY SKIN

Flucloxacillin

I have been taking the first course of Flucloxacillin with orange juice. Is that ok?
in PBC Foundation

4g of Flucloxacillin a day and muscle ache

I’m on 4th day of taking the antibiotics and I’ve began to get muscle pain. Is this something I should worry about?
in Pain Concern

I had flucloxacillin for a infection from a cut. During the course all low back and hip pain disappeared? Anyone had similar experiance?

Back/hip pain and antibiotics
in MPN Voice

Flucloxacillin And Paracetamol

Just been prescribed Flucloxacillin For an ingrown nail that’s become infected, can I take paracetamol with it for a headache?
in MY SKIN

Antibiotics

I have been prescribed Flucloxacillin and immediately my RLS has become much worse.
in Restless Legs Syndrome

Son

Hi my son just got flucloxacillin. Will they still work if I give him it open. He is finding it hard to take them.
in MY SKIN

Is it normal for flucloxacillin to make symptoms much worse before getting better for a pilonidal cyst?

My mum called the GP After 5 days and I was prescribed Flucloxacillin 4 times a day. The next morning after I started taking them, I noticed that the cyst had started growing even larger.
in Fibromyalgia Action UK

Impetigo

I have been to my doctor and he has gven me flucloxacillin and loratadine. How long does it take to clear up?
in MY SKIN

Looking for advice (post-revision... frenuloplasty...)

GP put me on flucloxacillin for 7 days. Today, there is still infection and this morning I was prescribed Fucidin, which will apparently solve the infection. My GP said "I've never seen anything like this", and I wanted to say "You've obviously never visited healthunlocked.com..."
in Men's Health Forum (Penis Health)

A burn, a scare, an antibiotic nightmare...

I was given a week course of flucloxacillin 500mg four times a day to be taken on an empty stomach. I was told patients on steroids have an impaired healing response. I had never taken flucloxacillin... although I did mention my father (who has stephen Johnson's symdrome) is severely allergic.
in PMRGCAuk
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