The active substance dicloxallicin is a drug with antibiotic effect. The substance belongs to the pharmacological group of penicillins. These active substances are primarily used in the treatment of infections caused by staphylococci. The drug dicloxallicin is used when other penicillins do not show adequate effectiveness in combating the pathogens.
What is dicloxallicin?
The drug dicloxacillin is suitable for the treatment of a variety of infectious diseases caused by bacteria. The drug dicloxacillin is suitable for the therapy of a variety of infectious diseases. In the majority of cases it is used for infections caused by pathogens from the staphylococcus category. The drug dicloxacillin is particularly effective against germs that have already developed resistance to other substances from the penicillin group. This applies, for example, to infections of the nipples, bone marrow, lungs, and ear, nose, and throat.
Pharmacologic action
The drug dicloxacillin has the characteristic mechanism of action of all types of penicillins. This is because the substance stops a special enzyme called transpeptidase, which is found in bacteria. This enzyme is absolutely necessary for the pathogens to build their cell walls. Accordingly, it plays a significant role in both the formation and proliferation of bacterial cells. Blockage of the enzyme results in the formation of crucial weak points in the cell walls, which cause the cell walls of the bacteria to tear during the growth and multiplication processes of the germs. As a result, the cell is no longer viable and the bacterium dies. For this reason, the drug dicloxacillin has a bactericidal effect. In principle, the drug dicloxacillin belongs to the subcategory of so-called penicillinase-resistant penicillins. Penicillinase is a special enzyme that bacteria possess. This enables them to interfere with the basic structure of penicillins. The active ingredient dicloxacillin, however, is not sensitive to such attacks by the enzyme and thus remains unaffected in its effect. For this reason, the substance dicloxacillin is also effective against some staphylococcal bacteria that are already resistant to other types of penicillins. As part of the inhibition of the bacterial enzyme transpeptidase, the new formation of the cell wall no longer proceeds without error. The resulting weak spots in the cell walls ultimately lead to the death of the germs.
Medical application and use
The drug dicloxacillin shows good efficacy in a number of infections. In particular, it is used for those infectious diseases in which staphylococci are the triggers and other penicillins no longer show sufficient effect due to resistance. For example, dicloxacillin can be used for infections of the bone marrow, kidneys, lungs and nipples. The drug is also often effective in bacterial diseases of the small and large intestine, urinary tract, and head and neck. In addition, use of the drug is discouraged in infections that affect the ear, nose, and throat area. In addition, the drug is also effective against abscesses and boils, impetigo, inflammation of the connective tissue, as well as other infections of the skin. The substance is sometimes also used to combat infections that occur following surgical procedures. In the majority of cases, the antibiotic dicloxacillin is administered orally in the form of tablets or intravenously. Ointments containing dicloxallicin are available for the treatment of skin infections.
Risks and side effects
Various undesirable side effects and symptoms are possible during therapy with dicloxacillin and occur with varying frequency. The most common side effects include digestive problems and allergic reactions and intolerance to the active substance. Occasionally, elevated liver enzymes, dryness of the mouth, or catarrh of the oral mucosa occur while taking the active ingredient. Inflammation of the tongue also occurs in some cases. Rare side effects include, for example, Lyell’s syndrome and Stevens-Johnson syndrome.Inflammation of the kidney, general abnormalities of the blood count, fever, swelling of the larynx and anaphylactic shock are also possible. In very rare cases, bile stasis, kidney dysfunction, or inflammation of the liver develop as a result of taking dicloxacillin. In the course of taking dicloxacillin, various interactions with other active substances must be taken into account. In some cases, for example, the simultaneous administration of other penicillins and methotrexate can lead to complications. In this case, the effects reinforce each other. If a live vaccination is administered at the same time, the effect is sometimes reduced. In addition, in many cases the antibiotic dicloxacillin impairs the contraceptive effect of contraceptives based on a combination of estrogen and progestin. In principle, taking the active ingredient dicloxacillin is contraindicated in some medical conditions, as serious complications are possible in these cases. For example, therapy with dicloxacillin should be avoided in cases of asthma, hay fever and leukemia. Dicloxacillin must also be avoided in cases of allergies to certain types of penicillins or cephalosporins. If treatment with the antibiotic takes place during pregnancy or breastfeeding, strict medical control is required. In this case, the prescription of the substance must be weighed particularly carefully.
