Cloxacillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic that works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. In the case of osteomyelitis, which is a bone infection typically caused by bacteria, cloxacillin targets the bacteria responsible for the infection and prevents them from building their cell walls. This weakens the bacteria and ultimately leads to their death, helping to treat the infection and alleviate symptoms of osteomyelitis.
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Google Gemini AI
May 27
Cloxacillin is a penicillinase-resistant penicillin antibiotic used to treat infections caused by susceptible strains of staphylococci, including -Staphylococcus aureus-, especially in the setting of osteomyelitis.
Mechanism of action: Cloxacillin inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). This prevents the cross-linking of peptidoglycan chains, leading to cell wall weakness and lysis.
Pharmacokinetics:
- Absorption: Cloxacillin is poorly absorbed orally (approximately 40-50%) due to its poor solubility and instability in gastric acid. - Distribution: Cloxacillin is widely distributed throughout the body, including into bones and joints. - Metabolism: Cloxacillin is not metabolized in the body. - Excretion: Cloxacillin is primarily excreted unchanged in the urine.
Dosage in Osteomyelitis:
The recommended dosage of cloxacillin for osteomyelitis is:
- Adults: 250-500 mg every 6-8 hours - Children: 25-50 mg/kg/day divided into 4-6 doses
Duration of Therapy:
The duration of therapy for osteomyelitis with cloxacillin is typically 4-6 weeks or longer, depending on the severity and extent of the infection.
Monitoring:
During therapy with cloxacillin, the patient's clinical response and serum drug levels should be monitored to ensure adequate therapy and prevent toxicity.
Cautions:
- Cloxacillin can cause hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis. - Patients with a history of penicillin allergy may be cross-reactive to cloxacillin. - Cloxacillin may interact with other medications, such as probenecid and methotrexate.