Flucloxacillin Oral Suspension 125 mg/5 ml, 100 ml

Description

How to use

This is a dry powder that the pharmacist reconstitutes with water before you leave, or that you make up exactly as the label directs. Shake the bottle well before every single dose, because the drug settles and an unshaken bottle gives weak doses at the start of the course and strong ones at the end. Measure with the syringe or cup supplied, never a kitchen spoon. Flucloxacillin must be given on an empty stomach, one hour before food or two hours after, which is unusual and important because food substantially reduces absorption. It is normally given four times a day. Finish the whole bottle as prescribed.

Important warnings

Do not give if your child is allergic to penicillin or any beta-lactam antibiotic. Tell the prescriber about any previous jaundice on flucloxacillin, liver problems or kidney problems. Stop and seek emergency care for swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing, or a spreading blistering rash. Report yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, pale stools, or itching without a rash at any time during the course or in the two months afterwards. Severe or bloody diarrhoea also needs review. The taste is unpleasant and children often resist it; do not solve this by mixing it into a full bottle of milk or juice, since a partly finished drink means a partly given dose, and dairy also reduces absorption.

Storage

Before reconstitution, store the dry powder below 25 degrees Celsius in a dry place. Once made up with water, the suspension must be kept refrigerated between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius, must not be frozen, and must be discarded after the number of days stated on the label, typically seven, even if some is left. Write the date of reconstitution on the bottle. Keep out of reach of children and never use a reconstituted bottle from a previous illness.