bactocill, an antibiotic

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

Oxacillin is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria, such as a staphylococcal (also called "staph") infection.

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

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

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

Oxacillin can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before taking oxacillin, 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. Oxacillin 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.

                        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. Oxacillin 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. Oxacillin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Do not share oxacillin with 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 oxacillin.

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

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

      methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall); or

      probenecid (Benemid).

A-Methapred

Methylprednisolone is in a class of drugs called steroids. Methylprednisolone prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Methylprednisolone is used to treat many different conditions such as allergic disorders, skin conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, or breathing disorders.

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

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to methylprednisolone, or if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body.

Before taking methylprednisolone, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, and about all other medicines you are using. There are many other diseases that can be affected by steroid use, and many other medicines that can interact with steroids.

Your steroid medication needs may change if you have any unusual stress such as a serious illness, fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Tell your doctor about any such situation that affects you during treatment.

Steroid medication can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection or worsening an infection you already have or have recently had. Tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using steroid medication.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are taking methylprednisolone. Vaccines may not work as well while you are taking a steroid.

Do not stop using methylprednisolone suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication. Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking a steroid, in case of emergency.

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.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Your steroid medication needs may change if you have unusual stress such as a serious illness, fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Tell your doctor about any such situation that affects you.

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

Do not stop using methylprednisolone suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication. Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking a steroid, in case of emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you are taking steroid medication. Store methylprednisolone at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

There are many other medicines that can interact with steroids. Below is only a partial list of these medicines:

aspirin (taken on a daily basis or at high doses);

a diuretic (water pill);

a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);

insulin or diabetes medications you take by mouth;

antibiotics such as ketoconazole (Nizoral), rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane), or troleandomycin (Tao); or

seizure medications such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton).

bacteria fighter

Sparfloxacin has been withdrawn from the U.S. market.

Sparfloxacin is an antibiotic in a class of drugs called fluoroquinolones. It fights bacteria in the body.

Sparfloxacin is used to treat various types of bacterial infections.

Sparfloxacin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

                  Sparfloxacin has been withdrawn from the U.S. market.

Take all of the sparfloxacin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated. Take sparfloxacin with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Drink several extra glasses of fluid each day to prevent sparfloxacin crystals from forming in the urine. Do not take antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (e.g., Tums or Rolaids), the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc for a minimum of 4 hours after a dose of sparfloxacin. Taking antacids, sucralfate, or vitamin or mineral supplements too close to a dose of sparfloxacin can greatly decrease the effects of the antibiotic.

                Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

    * kidney disease;

      any kind of heart disease or heart problem; or

      seizures or epilepsy.

You may not be able to take sparfloxacin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Sparfloxacin is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether sparfloxacin will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Sparfloxacin passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. It may affect bone development. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Sparfloxacin is not approved for use by children younger than 12 years of age. Sparfloxacin may interfere with bone development.

                     Take sparfloxacin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Drink several extra glasses of fluid each day to prevent the formation of sparfloxacin crystals in your urine.

Sparfloxacin may be taken with or without food.

Take sparfloxacin at evenly spaced intervals. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Do not take antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (e.g., Tums or Rolaids), the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc for a minimum of 4 hours after a dose of sparfloxacin. Taking antacids, sucralfate, or vitamin or mineral supplements too close to a dose of sparfloxacin can greatly decrease the effects of the antibiotic. Take all of the sparfloxacin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated. Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

                      Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Sparfloxacin increases the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight, and a severe sunburn may result. If sun exposure is unavoidable, wear protective clothing and sunscreen. Call your doctor if you experience severe burning, redness, itching, rash, or swelling after exposure to the sun. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Sparfloxacin may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.

                      Do not take antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (e.g., Tums or Rolaids), the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc for a minimum of 4 hours after a dose of sparfloxacin. Taking antacids, sucralfate, or vitamin or mineral supplements too close to a dose of sparfloxacin can greatly decrease the effects of the antibiotic. Do not take sparfloxacin without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

      the heart medicines amiodarone (Cordarone), disopyramide (Norpace), quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute, others), procainamide (Procan SR, Pronestyl), sotalol (Betapace), and bepridil (Vascor);

      terfenadine (Seldane, Seldane-D) or astemizole (Hismanal);

      a tricyclic antidepressant including amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), amoxapine (Asendin), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), doxepin (Sinequan), and others;

      a phenothiazine including chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), perphenazine (Trilafon), mesoridazine (Serentil), thioridazine (Mellaril), and others;

      erythromycin (E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, E.E.S., others); or

      cisapride (Propulsid).

Sparfloxacin and the drugs listed above may affect the rhythm of your heartbeats. You may not be able to take sparfloxacin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with sparfloxacin. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Cancer therapy with Xeloda

Xeloda is a cancer (chemotherapeutic) medication. Xeloda interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Xeloda is used in the treatment of some types of breast and colorectal cancers.

Xeloda may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

                        Xeloda should only be prescribed by a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Talk to your doctor if you are taking the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin). In some cases, severe bleeding and death have resulted when these medications were taken together, or when treatment with warfarin (Coumadin) was started in the month following treatment with Xeloda. If treatment with both medications is determined by your doctor to be necessary, special monitoring will be required.

If the dose of Xeloda prescribed for you requires a combination of different strength tablets, it is very important that you correctly identify the tablets to ensure the correct dose. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions regarding a dose.

Stop taking Xeloda and notify your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects: more than 4 bowel movements per day or diarrhea at night; vomiting more than once in a 24-hour period; the amount of food you eat each day is much less than usual or if you are only able to eat at certain times; pain, redness, swelling, or sores in or around the mouth; tingling, numbness, pain, swelling, or redness of the hands and/or feet (hand-and-foot syndrome); or fever (temperature greater than 100.5 degrees) or other evidence of infection.

                      Do not take Xeloda without first talking to your doctor if you are allergic to fluorouracil (Adrucil).

Before taking Xeloda, tell your doctor if you

    * have liver disease or a history of liver problems;

    * have kidney disease;

      have heart or coronary artery disease; or

      are taking any other medicines especially warfarin (Coumadin), phenytoin (Dilantin), folic acid (found in some vitamins), or leucovorin (Wellcovorin).

You may not be able to take Xeloda, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during therapy if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Do not take this medication if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Xeloda is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that it is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Contraceptive measures are recommended for both men and women during treatment with Xeloda. It is not known whether Xeloda will harm a nursing infant. Do not take Xeloda without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding. The safety and effectiveness of Xeloda in patients younger than 18 years of age have not been established. If you are over the age of 80, you may be more likely to experience side effects from Xeloda.

                         Xeloda should only be prescribed by a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Take Xeloda exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Each dose of Xeloda should be swallowed with water. Take Xeloda within 30 minutes after the end of a meal (usually breakfast and dinner).

If the dose of Xeloda prescribed for you requires a combination of different strength tablets, it is very important that you correctly identify the tablets to ensure the correct dose. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions regarding a dose.

Xeloda is usually taken for 14 days followed by a 7 day rest period (no drug given), in a 21 day cycle. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Take all of the Xeloda that has been prescribed for you. Store Xeloda at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

                              Capecitabine is available with a prescription under the brand name Xeloda. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

      Xeloda 150 mg - oblong light peach-colored tablets

      Xeloda 500 mg - oblong peach-colored tablets

Cure for depression

Wellbutrin is an antidepressant medication. It works in the brain to treat depression.

Wellbutrin is used to treat major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder. At least one brand of bupropion (Zyban) is used to help people stop smoking by reducing cravings and other withdrawal effects.

Wellbutrin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

                        Do not take Wellbutrin if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. You should not take Wellbutrin if you have seizures, an eating disorder, if you are using a second form of bupropion, or if you have suddenly stopped using alcohol or sedatives.

Wellbutrin may cause seizures, especially in people with certain medical conditions or when using certain drugs. Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and the drugs you use.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Wellbutrin. Alcohol may increase your risk of a seizure while you are taking Wellbutrin.

                        Do not take Wellbutrin if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. You should not take Wellbutrin if you have:

      epilepsy or a seizure disorder;

      an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia;

      if you are using a second form of bupropion; or

      if you have suddenly stopped using alcohol or sedatives (such as Valium).

Wellbutrin may cause seizures, especially in people with certain medical conditions or when using certain drugs. Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and the drugs you use.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Wellbutrin:

      heart disease, high blood pressure, history of heart attack;

      a history of head injury, seizures, or brain or spinal cord tumor;

    * kidney disease;

    * liver disease (especially cirrhosis);

      bipolar disorder (manic depression);

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, such as Wellbutrin, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Tell your doctor if you have worsening symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.

Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking Wellbutrin, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Bupropion passes into breast milk and could be harmful to a nursing baby. Do not take Wellbutrin without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give this medication to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.

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

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Wellbutrin can be taken with or without food.

Do not crush, chew, or break the extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. Breaking the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

Do not stop taking Wellbutrin without first talking to your doctor. You may have unpleasant side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly.

If you use the Wellbutrin extended-release tablet, the tablet shell may pass into your stools (bowel movements). This is normal and does not mean that you are not receiving enough of the medicine.

Store this medicine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

                         Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Wellbutrin. Alcohol may increase your risk of a seizure while you are taking this medicine. If you drink alcohol regularly, talk with your doctor before changing the amount you drink. Wellbutrin can cause seizures in people who drink a lot of alcohol and then suddenly quit drinking when they start using the medication.

Avoid using bupropion to treat more than one condition at a time. If you take Wellbutrin for depression, do not also take Zyban to quit smoking. Too much of this medicine can increase your risk of a seizure.

Bupropion can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.