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Pharm 101: Flucloxacillin

Class

Beta-lactam antibiotic

Pharmacodynamics
  • Beta-lactam antibiotic
  • Inhibits bacterial growth by binding to active site of penicillin binding proteins (PBP), interfering with transpeptidation of bacterial cell wall synthesis
  • This leads to cell death (bactericidal)
  • Flucloxacillin is an anti-staphylococcal penicillin, resistant to staphylococcal beta-lactamase
Pharmacokinetics
  • Part biliary excretion, therefore no dose adjustment required in renal failure
  • Given before meals as is food interferes with absorption
  • For other pharmacokinetic properties of penicillins, see Pharm 101: Penicillin G
Antimicrobial activity
  • Resistant to staphylococcal beta-lactamases
  • Active against Staph and Strep
  • Not active against enterococci, gram negative cocci and rods, and anaerobic bacteria
Adverse effects
  • Specific to anti-staphylococcal penicillins (rare):
    • Hepatitis
    • Interstitial nephritis
    • Neutropenia
Further reading
References

Pharmacology 101

Top 200 drugs

MBBS (UWA) CCPU (RCE, Biliary, DVT, E-FAST, AAA) Adult/Paediatric Emergency Medicine Advanced Trainee in Melbourne, Australia. Special interests in diagnostic and procedural ultrasound, medical education, and ECG interpretation. Editor-in-chief of the LITFL ECG Library. Twitter: @rob_buttner

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