Generic Name: nafcillin (injection) (naf SIL in)Brand Names: Nallpen, Unipen
Nafcillin is an antibiotic in the penicillin group of drugs. It fights bacteria in your body.
Nafcillin is used to treat many different types of infections, especially those caused by staphylococcus bacteria ("staph" infections).
Nafcillin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Before using nafcillin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to cephalosporins such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Keflex, Omnicef, and others, or if you have asthma, liver or kidney disease, or a history of any type of allergy.
Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Nafcillin is usually given for up to 2 days after lab tests show that the infection has cleared.Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
amoxicillin (Amoxil, Amoxicot, Biomox, Dispermox, Trimox);
ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen);
carbenicillin (Geocillin);
cloxacillin (Cloxapen);
dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen);
oxacillin (Bactocill); or
penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids, and others).
Before using nafcillin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially cephalosporins such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Keflex, Omnicef, and others), or if you have:
asthma;
liver disease;
kidney disease; or
a history of any type of allergy.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Nafcillin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.Nafcillin is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how to use your medicine at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles, IV tubing, and other items used in giving the medicine.
Nafcillin is usually given every 4 hours. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take up to 1 hour to complete.
Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when the medicine is injected.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Nafcillin is usually given for up to 2 days after lab tests show that the infection has cleared. Nafcillin in vials (bottles) should be stored at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Nafcillin that is supplied in a premixed frozen solution should be stored in a deep freezer at a temperature of 4 degrees below 0.Thaw the medicine either in a refrigerator or at room temperature. Do not heat the medicine to thaw it more quickly.
Nafcillin that is thawed in the refrigerator should be used within 21 days. If you have thawed the medicine at room temperature, you must use it within 72 hours. Do not refreeze.Once nafcillin has been thawed, it should look clear. Do not use the medicine if it looks cloudy or has particles in it, or if the medicine container leaks. Call your doctor or pharmacist for a new prescription
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Overdose symptoms may include muscle spasms or weakness, muscle pain or twitching, numbness or tingly feeling, confusion, feeling light-headed, fainting, and seizure (black-out or convulsions).
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat;
skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
blood in your urine, urinating less than usual or not at all; or
pain, swelling, tenderness, or skin changes where the medicine was injected.
Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:
nausea, vomiting;
vaginal itching or discharge; or
black or "hairy" tongue.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Before using nafcillin, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
an antibiotic such as doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), or tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with nafcillin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.