Introduction
Flunid is an antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. It is effective in infections of the throat, ear, nasal sinuses, respiratory tract, skin and soft tissue, bones and joints and blood.
Flunid is a penicillin-type of antibiotic, which mainly fights and stops the growth of the gram-positive type of bacteria. It is given as a drip (intravenous infusion) or as an injection directly into a vein or a muscle under the supervision of a healthcare professional. This medicine should be used regularly at evenly spaced intervals as per the schedule prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Stopping the medicine too early may lead to the infection returning or worsening. The total duration of treatment and precise dosage will be decided by your doctor, depending on the type of infection that you have and how well you respond to the medication. Before taking this medicine, inform your doctor if you are allergic to penicillin or penicillin-type of medicine.
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and local pain, swelling, redness at the site of injection may be seen as side effects in some patients. These are temporary and usually resolve quickly. Consult your doctor if any of these side effects persist or if your condition worsens. This medicine is generally regarded as safe to use during pregnancy if used under a doctor's supervision.
Side effects of Flunid
Common
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Allergic reaction
- Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)
How to use Flunid
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Do not chew, crush or break it.
How Flunid works
Flunid is an antibiotic. It kills bacteria by preventing them from forming their own protective covering (cell wall) which is needed for them to survive.
What if you forget to take Flunid?
If you miss a dose of Flunid, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Indication
Pneumonia, Burns, Meningitis, Endocarditis, Sinusitis, Septicaemia, Tonsillitis, Surgical Prophylaxis, Staphylococcal skin infections, Boils, Osteomyelitis, Enteritis, Wounds, Abscesses, Infected eczema, Infected acne
Administration
Should be taken on an empty stomach. Take on an empty stomach ½-1 hr before meals.
Reconstitution: Dissolve 250-500 mg in 5-10 mL water for inj or 1 g in 15-20 mL water for inj. For IV infusion, further dilute in suitable IV fluids (e.g. water for inj, NaCl 0.9%, glucose 5%, NaCl 0.18% w/ glucose 4%).
Adult Dose
Adults (including elderly patients):
Oral:
250-500mg 3-4 times a day.
Intravenous
IV 0.25-1 g 4 times/day, may double in severe cases. Up to 8 g/day in 3-4 divided doses may be given for osteomyelitis.
Up to 8 g/day in 4 divided doses for endocarditis in patients weighing <85 kg and 12 g/day in 6 divided doses for patients weighing >85 kg.
Child Dose
Children have been given doses of 12.5-25 mg/kg body weight 4 times a day.
Intravenous
2-10 years: Half of adult dose
Under 2 years: One fourth of adult dose
Renal Dose
Renal impairment:
CrCl (ml/min)
<10 Dosage adjustment may be necessary.
Contraindication
Hypersensitivity to penicillins. Porphyria.
Mode of Action
Flucloxacillin inhibits the 3rd and last step of bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to specific penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located inside the bacterial cell wall. It is active against penicillinase-producing and non-penicillinase-producing staphylococci.
Precaution
Very high doses in poor renal function (risk of neurotoxicity) or heart failure. Avoid contact, skin sensitization may occur. Monitor serum potassium concentration, renal and haematological status. Spirochete infections particularly syphilis; suprainfection with penicillin-resistant organisms with prolonged use; avoid intrathecal route; elderly. Hepatic impairment.
Side Effect
Hypersensitivity reactions including urticaria; fever; joint pains; rashes; angioedema; serum sickness-like reactions; haemolytic anaemia; interstitial nephritis; neutropenia; thrombocytopenia; CNS toxicity including convulsions; diarrhoea; antibiotic-associated colitis; hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice; agranulocytosis; phlebitis (IV infusion).
Potentially Fatal: Anaphylaxis. Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Interaction
May increase the risk of methotrexate toxicity. May decrease the efficacy of oestrogen-containing OC. Enhanced plasma concentrations w/ probenecid. Bacteriostatic drugs (e.g. chloramphenicol, tetracycline) may interfere w/ the bactericidal effect of flucloxacillin. May prolong bleeding time in patients on oral anticoagulants.