bacampicillin

Take all of the bacampicillin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may begin to improve before the infection is completely treated.

Bacampicillin may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use a second method of birth control while taking bacampicillin to ensure protection from unintended pregnancy.

Bacampicillin is an antibiotic in the class of drugs called penicillins. It fights bacteria in the body.

Bacampicillin is used to treat many different types of infections, such as tonsillitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, gonorrhea, and infections of the skin.

Bacampicillin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

If you have ever had an allergic reaction to another penicillin or to a cephalosporin, do not take bacampicillin without first talking to your doctor.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, stomach or intestinal disease, or infectious mononucleosis. You may not be able to take bacampicillin because of an increased risk of side effects.

If you are a diabetic, some glucose urine tests may give false positive results while you are taking bacampicillin.

Bacampicillin is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not, however, take bacampicillin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

Bacampicillin passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby, although it is not expected to be harmful. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Take bacampicillin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Bacampicillin can be taken with or without food.

Bacampicillin should be taken at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night to keep the medicine level in your blood high enough to treat the infection.

Take all of the bacampicillin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated.

It is important to take bacampicillin regularly to get the most benefit.

Store the tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

If you have only missed one dose, take the rest of the scheduled doses for the day at evenly spaced intervals.

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

Symptoms of an bacampicillin overdose include muscle spasms or weakness, pain or twitching, pain in the fingers or toes, loss of feeling in the fingers or toes, seizures, confusion, coma, and agitation.

Alcohol may irritate the stomach if taken with bacampicillin, so use it with moderation.

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking bacampicillin and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediatley:

• an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of the throat; hives; swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; rash; or fainting);
• seizures;
• severe watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps; or
• unusual bleeding or bruising.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take bacampicillin and talk to your doctor if you experience

• mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain;
• white patches on the tongue (thrush/yeast infection);
• itching or discharge of the vagina (vaginal yeast infection); or
• black, "hairy" tongue or sore mouth or tongue.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Before taking bacampicillin, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

• cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid);
• methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);
• allopurinol (Zyloprim);
• probenecid (Benemid)
• another antibiotic (for the same or for a different infection) such as erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E-Mycin, E.E.S., others), tetracycline (Sumycin, others), minocycline (Minocin), doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin, others), or any other antibiotic.

Bacampicillin may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use a second method of birth control while taking bacampicillin to ensure protection from unintended pregnancy.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with bacampicillin. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Your pharmacist has additional information about bacampicillin written for health professionals that you may read.

Bacampicillin is available with a prescription under the brand name Spectrobid. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Spectrobid 400 mg--oblong, white, film-coated tablets