Uses
Nafcillin injection is used to treat infections caused by certain types of bacteria. Nafcillin injection is in a class of medications called penicillins. It works by killing bacteria.
Antibiotics such as nafcillin injection will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
Side Effects Of Nafcillin Injection
Nafcillin injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if this symptom is severe or does not go away:
- diarrhea
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- severe diarrhea (watery or bloody stools) that may occur with or without fever and stomach cramps (may occur up to 2 months or more after your treatment)
- hives, rash, itching, fever, that may occur along with stomach, muscle, or joint pain
- difficulty swallowing or breathing
- swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- hoarseness
- dizziness or fainting
- tenderness, warmth, redness, swelling, or pain near the injection site
Nafcillin injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before receiving nafcillin injection:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to nafcillin; penicillins; cephalosporin antibiotics such as cefaclor, cefadroxil, cefazolin, cefdinir, cefditoren (Spectracef), cefepime (Maxipime), cefixime (Suprax), cefotaxime (Claforan), cefotetan, cefoxitin (Mefoxin), cefpodoxime, cefprozil, ceftaroline (Teflaro), ceftazidime (Fortaz, Tazicef, in Avycaz), ceftibuten (Cedax), ceftriaxone (Rocephin), cefuroxime (Zinacef), and cephalexin (Keflex); any other medications; or any of the ingredients in nafcillin injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: other antibiotics; cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); probenecid (in Col-Probenecid, Probalan); tetracycline (Sumycin); and warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had allergies, asthma, heart failure, or kidney or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while receiving nafcillin injection, call your doctor.
Dosage Of Nafcillin Injection
Nafcillin injection comes as a powder to be mixed with fluid or as a premixed product and injected intravenously (into a vein). The injection can also be given intramuscularly (into a muscle). It is usually given every 4 to 6 hours. The length of your treatment depends on the type of infection you have.
You may receive nafcillin injection in a hospital or you may administer the medication at home. If you will be receiving the injection at home, your healthcare provider will show you how to use the medication. Be sure that you understand these directions, and ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions.
You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with nafcillin injection. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.
Use nafcillin injection until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop using nafcillin injection too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to nafcillin injection.
Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are receiving nafcillin injection.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
