Oxacillin injection is used to treat infections caused by certain bacteria. Oxacillin injection is in a class of medications called penicillins. It works by killing bacteria.

Antibiotics such as oxacillin 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.

Oxacillin injection comes as a powder to be mixed with fluid or as a premixed product, to be injected intravenously (into a vein). Oxacillin 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 oxacillin injection in a hospital or you may administer the medication at home. If you will be receiving oxacillin 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 oxacillin injection. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.

Use oxacillin injection until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop using oxacillin injection too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

Oxacillin injection is also sometimes used to prevent infection in people who are having certain types of surgery. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before receiving oxacillin injection,

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to oxacillin; 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 oxacillin 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; probenecid (in Col-Probenecid, Probalan); and tetracycline (Sumycin). 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, or heart failure.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while receiving oxacillin injection, call your doctor.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Oxacillin 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

Oxacillin injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Your healthcare provider will tell you how to store your medication. Store your medication only as directed. Make sure you understand how to store your medication properly.

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can’t be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to oxacillin 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.