carbenicillin

Generic name: carbenicillin [ kar-ben-i-SIL-in ]
Brand name: Geocillin
Drug class: Antipseudomonal penicillins

What is carbenicillin?

Carbenicillin is an antibiotic in the penicillin group of drugs. It fights bacteria in your body.

Carbenicillin is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria, such as bladder infection.

Carbenicillin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about carbenicillin?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to carbenicillin or to any other penicillin antibiotic, such as amoxicillin (Amoxil), ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen), dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen), oxacillin (Bactocill), penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids), and others.

Before using carbenicillin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to cephalosporins such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and others, or if you have asthma, kidney disease, a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, or a history of any type of allergy.

Carbenicillin can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before taking carbenicillin, tell your doctor if you use birth control pills.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Carbenicillin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Do not share this medication with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking carbenicillin?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to carbenicillin or to any other penicillin antibiotic, such as:

• amoxicillin (Amoxil, Amoxicot, Biomox, Dispermox, Trimox);

• ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen);

• dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen);

• oxacillin (Bactocill); or

• penicillin (Beepen-VK, Ledercillin VK, Pen-V, Pen-Vee K, Pfizerpen, V-Cillin K, Veetids, and others).

Before using carbenicillin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially cephalosporins such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Duricef, Keflex, and others), or if you have:

• asthma;

• kidney disease;

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;

• a history of diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics; or

• a history of any type of allergy.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take carbenicillin.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Carbenicillin can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before taking carbenicillin, tell your doctor if you use birth control pills.

Carbenicillin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take carbenicillin?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take the medicine with a full glass of water.

Carbenicillin should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating a meal.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Carbenicillin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Do not give carbenicillin to another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using carbenicillin.

Store carbenicillin at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of an carbenicillin overdose may include confusion, behavior changes, a severe skin rash, upset stomach, urinating less than usual, or seizure (black-out or convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking carbenicillin?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

Carbenicillin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

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;

• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

• urinating less than usual or not at all;

• severe skin rash, itching, or peeling;

• agitation, confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior; or

• seizure (black-out or convulsions).

Less serious side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;

• vaginal itching or discharge;

• headache;

• swollen, black, or "hairy" tongue; or

• thrush (white patches or inside your mouth or throat).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

Related/similar drugs

Carbenicillin dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Cystitis:

382 to 764 mg (1 to 2 tablets) orally 4 times a day for 3 to 7 days (Escherichia coli, Proteus, or Enterobacter as causative agent).
764 mg (2 tablets) orally 4 times a day for 3 to 7 days (Pseudomonas or Enterococcus as causative agent).

Usual Adult Dose for Prostatitis:

764 mg (2 tablets) orally 4 times a day for 14 days. Chronic prostatitis may require 1 to 3 months of antimicrobial therapy.

What other drugs will affect carbenicillin?

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

• methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall); or

• probenecid (Benemid).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with carbenicillin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2025 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.01. Revision Date: 2008-08-22, 9:01:48 AM.