Dicloxacillin (Na)

Dicloxacillin is a penicillin and should not be used in patients with penicillin hypersensitivity. Dicloxacillin should be used cautiously in patients with cephalosporin hypersensitivity or imipenem hypersensitivity because these patients are more susceptible to hypersensitivity reactions. Patients with allergies or allergic conditions including asthma, eczema, hives, or hay fever may have a greater risk for hypersensitivity reactions to penicillins. Overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms can occur during dicloxacillin therapy. Penicillins should be used with caution in patients with a history of GI disease, especially colitis. Also, patients who develop diarrhea while taking or soon after taking penicillins should be considered for differential diagnosis of antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis. Penicillins are excreted in breast milk. Penicillins may cause diarrhea, candidiasis, and skin rash in breast-feeding infants. The potential risk to the infant should be considered versus the potential benefit in the mother.