What is Dicloxacillin?
Dicloxacillin is a penicillin antibiotic that can be used to treat a range of bacterial infections.
Penicillins belong to a class of medications known as broad-spectrum antibiotics. This means they can work against a wide range of bacteria. Impetigo is caused by either of two bacteria strains — Staphylococcus aureus, or group A Streptococcus. Sometimes, infections can be caused by both types of bacteria.1
Dicloxacillin comes in a capsule, and a course of treatment usually lasts no longer than 14 days.
How does Dicloxacillin work?
Antibiotics work by destroying bacteria. Specifically, penicillins disrupt the cell walls of bacteria, which eventually causes them to weaken and become unstable. Once the antibiotics have killed the bacteria causing your skin infection, your skin starts to heal.
What doses of Dicloxacillin are there?
Dicloxacillin capsules come in two strengths: 250mg and 500mg.
The usual dose to treat impetigo is 250mg every 6 hours or 500mg every 12 hours for 14 days, but your physician might recommend a shorter course depending on the severity of your symptoms.
How long does Dicloxacillin take to work?
You might find your symptoms start to clear after only a few days of taking Dicloxacillin. But you should still complete the full course you’re prescribed, as ending the treatment too early could increase the chances of an infection returning.
Signs that your impetigo is starting to heal include less itching and reduced redness and swelling. Your sores should start to dry up as your body fights off the infection.
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