Flucloxacillin

Flucloxacillin is a narrow-spectrum penicillin antibiotic resistant to staphylococcal penicillinase. It is used mainly against infections caused by susceptible staphylococci.

Penicillin-binding proteins: Bacterial enzymes that build and remodel peptidoglycan in the cell wall. Flucloxacillin binds these enzymes, disrupting cell-wall construction and killing susceptible bacteria.
Staphylococcus aureus: A bacterium that commonly colonizes skin and can cause infections ranging from boils to invasive disease. Susceptible strains are the main targets of flucloxacillin treatment.
Penicillin: A family of beta-lactam antibiotics that inhibit bacterial cell-wall synthesis. Flucloxacillin is a semisynthetic member of this antibiotic family.
Amoxicillin: A penicillin antibiotic with activity against a broader range of bacteria than penicillin V. Unlike flucloxacillin, amoxicillin is vulnerable to staphylococcal penicillinase unless paired with an inhibitor.
Beta-lactam antibiotic: An antibiotic containing a beta-lactam ring that inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis. Flucloxacillin belongs to this drug family and shares its core antibacterial mechanism.
Cellulitis: A bacterial infection of the deeper layers of skin and underlying tissue. Flucloxacillin is commonly used when cellulitis is suspected to involve susceptible staphylococci.
Beta-lactam ring: A four-membered cyclic amide structure found in several major antibiotic classes. Its intact ring is essential to flucloxacillin’s activity against bacterial targets.
Co-amoxiclav: A combination of amoxicillin and the beta-lactamase inhibitor clavulanic acid. Its broader beta-lactamase coverage differs from flucloxacillin’s targeted penicillinase stability.
Penicillinase: A bacterial beta-lactamase enzyme that inactivates many penicillin antibiotics. Flucloxacillin’s side chain makes it resistant to the penicillinase produced by many staphylococci.
Impetigo: A contagious superficial skin infection, usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. Oral flucloxacillin can be used for widespread impetigo when local guidance recommends it.

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CloxacillinRelated: Its similar structure and uses make it a close counterpart to cloxacillin.