Unipen Side Effects

Generic name: nafcillin

Note: This document contains side effect information about nafcillin. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Unipen.

Some side effects of Unipen may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

For the Consumer

Applies to nafcillin: injectable powder for injection, intravenous solution

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking nafcillin (the active ingredient contained in Unipen) hives, itching; fever, stomach pain, muscle or joint pain; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. A delayed allergic reaction to nafcillin can occur as few as 2 days to as many as 4 weeks after you use the medication.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat;

• skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;

• blood in your urine, urinating less than usual or not at all; or

• pain, swelling, tenderness, or skin changes where the medicine was injected.

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• nausea, vomiting;

• vaginal itching or discharge; or

• black or "hairy" tongue.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to nafcillin: injectable powder for injection, intravenous solution, oral capsule

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomatitis, black or hairy tongue, gastrointestinal irritation, and pseudomembranous colitis.

Local

Local side effects have included pain, swelling, phlebitis, thrombophlebitis, and skin sloughing after intravenous administration. Intramuscular injections may cause pain at the injection site. Extravasation may result in severe chemical irritation. Subcutaneous extravasation has been associated with severe tissue necrosis.

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity reactions have included urticaria, pruritus, angioneurotic edema, laryngeal edema, laryngospasm, bronchospasm, hypotension, vascular collapse, anaphylaxis, serum sickness-like reactions, fever, and death.

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have included agranulocytosis, neutropenia, bone marrow depression, and platelet dysfunction. These reactions are usually reversible upon discontinuation of nafcillin (the active ingredient contained in Unipen)

At least three cases of platelet dysfunction with prolonged bleeding times have been reported with nafcillin therapy. All cases resolved following discontinuation of nafcillin.

Renal

Renal side effects have included renal tubular damage and interstitial nephritis. Symptoms may include rash, fever, eosinophilia, hematuria, proteinuria, and renal insufficiency.

Hepatic

Hepatic adverse effects are rare, but cases of hepatotoxicity associated with nafcillin (the active ingredient contained in Unipen) therapy have been reported.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included neurotoxicity with high intravenous or intraventricular doses, especially in patients with both hepatic and renal impairment.

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