Antibiotics information for patients

What is Ampicillin used for?
Ampicillin is used to treat bacterial infections, usually involving the respiratory tract, the urinary tract or skin.

You must not be given Ampicillin if you have an allergy to it or related penicillin antibiotics, or have experienced significant side effects from Ampicillin in the past.

Before we commence Ampicillin

• Tell us about all your allergies, especially penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics, or if you had a problem with Ampicillin before.
• Tell us if you are taking other medications.
• Tell us if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Usual dose of Ampicillin
500mg – 1g daily given by IV infusor. (May be given orally at completion of intravenous course. Usual doses are 500mg to 1g 6th hourly.)

Side effects
Tell us if you have pain, inflammation or a swollen arm at the IV site.

Serious side effects include signs of allergy:

• Shortness of breath, wheezing
• Itchy rash
• Swollen face/lips/tongue.

Contact us or call 000 if you think you are having an allergic reaction.

Milder side effects may occur and include:

• Nausea, vomiting
• Diarrhoea or bloody diarrhoea
• Mild rash
• Oral thrush (white, furry, sore tongue and mouth)
• Vaginal thrush (sore, itchy vagina and/or vaginal discharge).

What is Ceftazidime used for?
Ceftazidime is used to treat complicated bacterial infections, usually involving the respiratory tract, the urinary tract or skin. It is specifically helpful against Pseudomonas bacteria. It is often used when other antibiotics are unsafe or have not worked.

You must not be given Ceftazidime if you have an allergy to it or related antibiotics, or have experienced significant side effects from Ceftazidime in the past.

Before we commence Ceftazidime

• Tell us about all your allergies, especially to penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics, or if you had a problem with Ceftazidime before.
• Tell us if you are taking other medications.
• Tell us if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Usual dose of Ceftazidime
3g – 6g daily given by IV infusor.

Side effects
Tell us if you have pain, inflammation or a swollen arm at the IV site.

Serious side effects include signs of allergy:

• Shortness of breath, wheezing
• Itchy rash
• Swollen face/lips/tongue.

Contact us or call 000 if you think you are having an allergic reaction.

Milder side effects may occur and include:

• Nausea, vomiting
• Diarrhoea or bloody diarrhoea
• Mild rash
• Oral thrush (white, furry, sore tongue and mouth)
• Vaginal thrush (sore, itchy vagina and/or vaginal discharge).

What is Ceftriaxone used for?
Ceftriaxone is used to treat bacterial infections, usually involving the respiratory tract, the urinary tract or skin.

You must not be given Ceftriaxone if you have an allergy to it or related antibiotics, or have experienced significant side effects from Ceftriaxone in the past.

Before we commence Ceftriaxone

• Tell us about all your allergies, especially to penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics, or if you had a problem with Ceftriaxone before.
• Tell us if you are taking other medications.
• Tell us if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Usual dose of Ceftriaxone
1g – 2g daily given by IV injection or brief IV infusion (10-15 minutes).

Side effects
Tell us if you have pain, inflammation or a swollen arm at the IV site.

Serious side effects include signs of allergy:

• Shortness of breath, wheezing
• Itchy rash
• Swollen face/lips/tongue.

Contact us or call 000 if you think you are having an allergic reaction.

Milder side effects may occur and include:

• Nausea, vomiting
• Diarrhoea or bloody diarrhoea
• Mild rash
• Oral thrush (white, furry, sore tongue and mouth)
• Vaginal thrush (sore, itchy vagina and/or vaginal discharge).

What is Cephazolin used for?
Cephazolin is used to treat bacterial infections, usually involving the skin, bone and joints, heart, breast, abdomen or urinary tract.

Cephazolin is a cephalosporin antibiotic that is related to penicillin antibiotics. If you are severely allergic to penicillins, you may be allergic to Cephazolin.

Before we commence Cephazolin

• Tell us about all your allergies, or if you had a problem with cephalosporins or penicillins before.
• Tell us if you are taking other medications.
• Tell us if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Usual dose of Cephazolin
2g – 8g daily given by IV infusor over 24 hours.

Dose monitoring
We will not do dose monitoring for Cephazolin, but will monitor your blood tests and kidney function while you are on the drug.

Side effects
Tell us if you have pain, inflammation or a swollen arm at the IV site.

Serious side effects include signs of allergy:

• Shortness of breath, wheezing
• Itchy rash
• Swollen face/lips/tongue.

Contact us or call 000 if you think you are having an allergic reaction.

Milder side effects may occur and include:

• Nausea, vomiting
• Diarrhoea or bloody diarrhoea
• Mild rash
• Oral thrush (white, furry, sore tongue and mouth)
• Vaginal thrush (sore, itchy vagina and/or vaginal discharge).

What is Ertapenem used for?
Ertapenem is used to treat severe or complicated bacterial infections, usually involving the respiratory tract, abdomen, urinary tract, skin or soft tissues. Ertapenem is often used when other antibiotics are unsuccessful.

Ertapenem is a carbapenem antibiotic that is related to penicillin antibiotics. If you are severely allergic to penicillins, you may be allergic to Ertapenem. Ertapenem can cause seizures and can react with some epileptic medications.

Before we commence Ertapenem

• Tell us about all your allergies or if you’ve had problems with Ertapenem or penicillins.
• Tell us if you have a history of seizures.
• Tell us if you are taking other medications.
• Tell us if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Usual dose of Ertapenem
1g daily given by IV infusor over 30 minutes. The dose is reduced if you have severe kidney failure.

Dose monitoring
We will not do dose monitoring for Ertapenem, but will monitor your blood tests and kidney and liver function while you are on the drug.

Side effects
Tell us if you have pain, inflammation or a swollen arm at the IV site.

Serious side effects include:

• Allergy
  • Shortness of breath, wheezing
  • Itchy rash
  • Swollen face/lips/tongue
• Seizures.

Call 000 if you have a seizure. Contact us or call 000 if you think you are having an allergic reaction.

Milder side effects may occur and include:

• Nausea, vomiting, reflux oesophagitis
• Diarrhoea or bloody diarrhoea
• Mild rash, vaginal or oral thrush.

What is Flucloxacillin used for?
Flucloxacillin is used to treat bacterial infections in different parts of the body, usually skin, bone or joints.

You should not receive Flucloxacillin if you have an allergy to it or related antibiotics, or you have experienced any side effects from Flucloxacillin in the past.

Before we commence Flucloxacillin

• Tell us about all your allergies.
• Tell us if you’ve had a problem with Flucloxacillin before (including developing jaundice).
• Tell us if you have or have had kidney problems, liver problems or jaundice.
• Tell us if you are pregnant or breast-feeding (Flucloxacillin passes into breast milk and your baby may be affected).

Usual dose of Flucloxacillin
2g – 14.4g daily given by IV infusor. (The usual oral adult dose is 250 – 500mg every 6 hours; the usual oral child dose is 12.5 – 25 mg per kilo of body weight every 6 hours.)

Side effects
Tell us if you have pain, inflammation or a swollen arm at the IV site.

Serious side effects include:

• Allergy
  • Shortness of breath, wheezing
  • Itchy rash or hives
  • Swollen face/lips/tongue or other parts of the body
• Liver damage
• Severe diarrhoea, sometimes with bleeding.

Contact us or call 000 if you think you are having an allergic reaction. If you develop yellow eyes or skin (jaundice) whilst having or soon after having Flucloxacillin, tell your doctor or nurse immediately. You should also tell your doctor or nurse if jaundice develops several weeks after you have stopped taking Flucloxacillin.

Milder side effects may occur and include:

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
• Mild rash
• Oral thrush (white, furry, sore tongue and mouth)
• Vaginal thrush (sore, itchy vagina and/or vaginal discharge).

What is Gentamicin used for?
Gentamicin is used to treat severe bacterial infections, usually involving the abdomen or urinary tract.

Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic. It can cause kidney damage or hearing or balance problems. We would not usually prescribe Gentamicin if you have kidney damage; if you have hearing or balance problems or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Before we commence Gentamicin

• Tell us about all your allergies or if you had a problem with Gentamicin before.
• Tell us if you have a history of hearing or balance problems.
• Tell us if you have kidney damage.
• Tell us if you are taking other medications.
• Tell us if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Usual dose of Gentamicin
80mg – 400g daily given by IV infusor over 30 minutes. The dose is modified depending on your kidney function.

Dose monitoring
It is important to ensure the dose of Gentamicin is right for you. We will monitor the levels of Gentamicin and do regular checks of your kidney function while on the medication.

Side effects
Tell us if you have pain, inflammation or a swollen arm at the IV site.

Serious side effects include:

• Allergy
  • Shortness of breath, wheezing
  • Itchy rash
  • Swollen face/lips/tongue
• Dizziness, hearing and/or balance issues.

Contact us or call 000 if you think you are having an allergic reaction.

Milder side effects may occur and include:

• Nausea, vomiting
• Diarrhoea or bloody diarrhoea
• Headache
• Mild rash, vaginal or oral thrush.

What is Penicillin used for?
Penicillin is used to treat bacterial infections, usually involving the throat, respiratory tract, brain or meninges, skin or joints.

Penicillin is the original penicillin antibiotic. It is related to newer penicillins, cephalosporins and carbapenems. Cross allergy can occur between Penicillin and these related antibiotics.

Before we commence Penicillin

• Tell us about all your allergies or if you had a problem with Penicillin before.
• Tell us if you are taking other medications.
• Tell us if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Usual dose of Penicillin
2.4g to 14.4g daily given by IV infusor over 24 hours. The dose is modified if you have severe kidney failure.

Dose monitoring
We do not need to monitor the Penicillin levels while we are treating you but may monitor your blood tests and kidney function.

Side effects
Tell us if you have pain, inflammation or a swollen arm at the IV site.

Serious side effects include:

• Allergy
  • Shortness of breath, wheezing
  • Itchy rash
  • Swollen face/lips/tongue
• Seizures may occur with high doses.

Call 000 if you are having a seizure. Contact us or call 000 if you think you are having an allergic reaction.

Milder side effects may occur and include:

• Nausea, vomiting
• Diarrhoea or bloody diarrhoea
• Mild rash.

What is Tazocin used for?
Tazocin is used to treat severe or complicated bacterial infections, usually involving the respiratory tract, abdomen, urinary tract, skin or soft tissues. It also used in febrile neutropenia.

Tazocin is an antibiotic that combines a newer generation penicillin with a drug to stop bacteria from attacking the antibiotic. It can have a cross allergy with other penicillins.

Before we commence Tazocin

• Tell us about all your allergies or if you had a problem with Tazocin or penicillin
  antibiotics before.
• Tell us if you are taking other medications.
• Tell us if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Usual dose of Tazocin
13.5g to 18g daily given by IV infusor over 24 hours. The dose is modified if you have kidney failure.

Dose monitoring
We do not need to monitor the Tazocin levels while we are treating you but may monitor your blood tests and kidney function.

Side effects
Tell us if you have pain, inflammation or a swollen arm at the IV site.

Serious side effects include:

• Allergy
  • Shortness of breath, wheezing
  • Itchy rash
  • Swollen face/lips/tongue
• Seizures may occur with high doses
• Bowel inflammation (colitis, severe diarrhoea that may be bloody).

Call 000 if you are having a seizure. Contact us or call 000 if you think you are having an allergic reaction.

Milder side effects may occur and include:

• Nausea, vomiting
• Headache
• Mild rash.

What is Teicoplanin used for?
Teicoplanin is used to treat severe or complicated bacterial infections, usually involving the respiratory tract, cardiac, bone, joint, skin or soft tissues.

Teicoplanin is a glycopeptide antibiotic, related to Vancomycin.

Before we commence Teicoplanin

• Tell us about all your allergies or if you had a problem with Teicoplanin or Vancomycin
  before.
• Tell us if you have dizziness or hearing loss.
• Tell us if you are taking other medications.
• Tell us if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Usual dose of Teicoplanin
800mg daily given by IV infusion over 30 hours. The dose is modified if you have kidney failure.

Dose monitoring
We need to monitor the Teicoplanin levels weekly to make sure the dose is right for you. We will also monitor your blood tests and liver and kidney function.

Side effects
Tell us if you have pain, inflammation or a swollen arm at the IV site.

Serious side effects include:

• Allergy
  • Shortness of breath, wheezing
  • Itchy rash
  • Swollen face/lips/tongue
• Hearing loss, dizziness or balance issues
• Kidney and liver damage.

Contact us or call 000 if you think you are having an allergic reaction.

Milder side effects may occur and include:

• Nausea, vomiting
• Jaundice
• Mild rash.

What is Tobramycin used for?
Tobramycin is used to treat severe bacterial infections, usually involving the abdomen or urinary tract.

Tobramycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic. It can cause kidney damage or hearing or balance problems. We would not usually prescribe Tobramycin if you have kidney damage; if you have hearing or balance problems or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Before we commence Tobramycin

• Tell us about all your allergies or if you had a problem with Tobramycin before.
• Tell us if you have a history of hearing or balance problems.
• Tell us if you have kidney damage.
• Tell us if you are taking other medications.
• Tell us if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Usual dose of Tobramycin
80mg to 400mg daily given by IV infusion over 30 minutes. The dose is modified depending on your kidney function.

Dose monitoring
It is important to know if the dose of Tobramycin is right for you. We will monitor the levels of Tobramycin and do regular checks of your kidney function while on the medication.

Side effects
Tell us if you have pain, inflammation or a swollen arm at the IV site.

Serious side effects include:

• Allergy
  • Shortness of breath, wheezing
  • Itchy rash
  • Swollen face/lips/tongue
• Hearing loss, dizziness or balance issues.

Contact us or call 000 if you think you are having an allergic reaction.

Milder side effects may occur and include:

• Nausea, vomiting
• Diarrhoea or bloody diarrhoea
• Headache
• Mild rash, vaginal or oral thrush.

What is Vancomycin used?
Vancomycin is used to treat severe bacterial infections, such as infections of the heart lining or valves (endocarditis), skin, bone and joint infections, staph infections resistant to other drugs, and infections in the intestines. Vancomycin is often used when other antibiotics have been or will be ineffective.

You must not be given Vancomycin if you have an allergy to it or related antibiotics or have experienced significant side effects from Vancomycin in the past.

Before we commence Vancomycin

• Tell us about all your allergies or if you had a problem with Vancomycin before.
• Tell us if you have hearing loss or balance problems.
• Tell us if you have kidney problems.
• Tell us if you have inflammatory bowel conditions.
• Tell us if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Usual dose of Vancomycin
500mg to 4g daily given by slow IV infusion. May be given orally for infections of the bowel.

Dose monitoring
It is important to confirm whether the dose of Vancomycin is right for you and whether your kidneys are working properly. We will do blood tests at least twice a week to monitor your levels of Vancomycin and your kidney function.

Side effects

Tell us if you have pain, inflammation or a swollen arm at the IV site.

Serious side effects include:

• Allergy
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing
  • Itchy rash
  • Swollen face/lips/tongue
• Flushing or a bright red, generalised rash (may appear immediately after the infusion)
• Hearing loss or dizziness (most of these patients already have kidney or hearing problems)
• Kidney damage
• Inflamed colon
  • Fever
  • Severe stomach cramps
  • Severe diarrhoea (maybe with bleeding).

Contact us or call 000 if you think you are having an allergic reaction.

Milder side effects may also occur.