Nafcillin Disease Interactions

There are 4 disease interactions with nafcillin:

Pseudomembranous colitis has been reported with most antibacterial agents and may range in severity from mild to life-threatening, with an onset of up to several weeks following cessation of therapy. Antibiotic therapy can alter the normal flora of the colon and permit overgrowth of Clostridium difficile, whose toxin is believed to be a primary cause of antibiotic-associated colitis. The colitis is usually characterized by severe, persistent diarrhea and severe abdominal cramps, and may be associated with the passage of blood and mucus. The most common culprits are clindamycin, lincomycin, the aminopenicillins (amoxicillin, ampicillin), and the cephalosporins. Therapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics and other agents with significant antibacterial activity should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of gastrointestinal diseases, particularly colitis. There is some evidence that pseudomembranous colitis, if it occurs, may run a more severe course in these patients and that it may be associated with flares in their underlying disease activity. The offending antibiotic(s) should be discontinued if significant diarrhea occurs during therapy. Stool cultures for Clostridium difficile and stool assay for C. difficile toxin may be helpful diagnostically. A large bowel endoscopy may be considered to establish a definitive diagnosis in cases of severe diarrhea.

The use of penicillinase-resistant penicillins has been associated with adverse hematologic effects, including neutropenia, leukopenia, granulocytopenia and thrombocytopenia, particularly when given in high parenteral dosages. Agranulocytosis and prolonged bleeding time have been reported rarely. Therapy with penicillinase-resistant penicillins should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting blood dyscrasias or bone marrow depression, and hematopoietic function should be monitored. Blood counts with differential should be performed prior to initiation of therapy and 1 to 3 times weekly during therapy. Hematologic abnormalities are generally reversible and resolve within several days to two weeks following discontinuation of therapy.

Nafcillin is primarily metabolized by the liver but also partially excreted unchanged by the kidney. The serum concentration of nafcillin may be increased and the half-life prolonged in patients with significantly impaired renal and/or hepatic function. In general, dosage adjustments are not necessary in either renal or hepatic impairment alone, but may be appropriate in patients with both renal and hepatic failure. Renal and liver function tests should be performed periodically during prolonged therapy.

Each gram of parenteral nafcillin sodium contains approximately 67 mg (2.9 mEq) of sodium and is buffered with 40 mg of sodium citrate. Each 250 mg capsule of nafcillin sodium contains approximately 17 mg (0.7 mEq) of sodium buffered with calcium carbonate. The sodium content should be considered in patients with conditions that may require sodium restriction, such as congestive heart failure, hypertension, and fluid retention. In addition, hypokalemia has been reported rarely during therapy with the penicillinase-resistant penicillins, which may be particularly important to bear in mind when treating patients with low potassium reserves or fluid and electrolyte imbalance. Clinical monitoring of electrolytes is recommended if these agents are used for prolonged periods.

You should also know about...

nafcillin drug Interactions

There are 59 drug interactions with nafcillin

nafcillin food/lifestyle Interactions

There are 2 food/lifestyle interactions with nafcillin

See also...

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Multum is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug of drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Multum Information Services, Inc. does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. Copyright 2000-2009 Multum Information Services, Inc. The information in contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.