Dicloxacillin Sodium
Dicloxacillin Sodium 500MG
What is Dicloxacillin Sodium?
Dicloxacillin Sodium is a semisynthetic antibiotic belonging to the penicillin class, specifically the isoxazolyl penicillins group. It is used primarily to treat infections caused by penicillinase-producing staphylococci, demonstrating effectiveness by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. Dicloxacillin is administered orally and is known for its resistance to degradation by stomach acid, enhancing its bioavailability.Side Effects
- Severe diarrhea (watery, possibly with blood)
- Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
Warnings
- Severe diarrhea (watery, possibly with blood)
- If you are pregnant or breast feeding, talk with your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Make sure your doctor knows if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any cephalosporin antibiotic such as Keflex® or Ceclor® before you take this medicine.
Prescription savings · · · ·
What is Dicloxacillin Sodium ?
Dicloxacillin Sodium is a semisynthetic antibiotic belonging to the penicillin class, specifically the isoxazolyl penicillins group. It is used primarily to treat infections caused by penicillinase-producing staphylococci, demonstrating effectiveness by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. Dicloxacillin is administered orally and is known for its resistance to degradation by stomach acid, enhancing its bioavailability.- Severe diarrhea (watery, possibly with blood)
- Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- Severe diarrhea (watery, possibly with blood)
- If you are pregnant or breast feeding, talk with your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Make sure your doctor knows if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any cephalosporin antibiotic such as Keflex® or Ceclor® before you take this medicine.
Dicloxacillin Sodium Coupons & Prices
Dicloxacillin Sodium 500MG
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Dicloxacillin sodium is a generic-only penicillin antibiotic — its former brand names are all discontinued in the US — but that doesn't mean every pharmacy charges the same price for it. If you're looking for a dicloxacillin sodium coupon, the biggest lever isn't finding a hidden discount, it's comparing pharmacies, since cash prices for this generic can vary widely from one drugstore to the next. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price at pharmacies near you; Rx.com compares 60,000+ pharmacies so you can find the lowest one without calling around.
What Is Dicloxacillin Sodium and How Does It Work?
Dicloxacillin sodium is a penicillinase-resistant (narrow-spectrum) penicillin antibiotic in the beta-lactam class. It's FDA-approved to treat infections caused by penicillinase-producing staphylococci — most often skin and soft-tissue infections such as cellulitis, abscesses, and impetigo, and some respiratory tract infections — when the infection is proven or strongly suspected to be caused by a susceptible staph strain. It was previously marketed under the brand names Dynapen, Dycill, and Pathocil, but all three have been discontinued in the US; today dicloxacillin sodium is available only as a generic.
Dicloxacillin is not a broad-spectrum, first-choice antibiotic — it's specifically used against staph infections that produce an enzyme (penicillinase) capable of breaking down other penicillins. It is not effective against MRSA (methicillin-resistant staph) or viral illnesses like colds and flu, so it won't be prescribed for those.
Dicloxacillin Sodium Cost and Coupon Savings
Because dicloxacillin sodium is generic, the underlying medication is already lower-cost than a brand-name drug — but cash prices for the same generic can still differ substantially from one pharmacy to the next, and there's no manufacturer savings card for this drug since there's no brand version left on the market. That makes shopping around the most reliable way to lower your out-of-pocket cost.
Rx.com compares dicloxacillin sodium prices across more than 60,000 U.S. pharmacies, including major chains and independents, so you can see which one near you charges the least before you fill your prescription. Enter your ZIP code above to check today's price at pharmacies in your area.
Dicloxacillin vs. Amoxicillin and Other Antibiotics
Dicloxacillin is one of several penicillin-family and related antibiotics used for bacterial infections, and your prescriber chooses between them based on the type of infection and the bacteria involved. Amoxicillin and penicillin VK are broader-use penicillins but aren't penicillinase-resistant, so they aren't used for the staph infections dicloxacillin targets. Amoxicillin-clavulanate adds a beta-lactamase inhibitor to amoxicillin to cover a wider range of resistant bacteria. For patients who can't take penicillins, prescribers may turn to a cephalosporin like cephalexin or, for penicillin-allergic patients, clindamycin.
These are different drugs for different clinical situations, not interchangeable substitutes — only your prescriber can determine which antibiotic is right for your specific infection.
Safety Information
Dicloxacillin sodium is contraindicated in anyone with a penicillin allergy, since it can cause a serious or anaphylactic allergic reaction — signs include swelling of the face, throat, or tongue, difficulty breathing, wheezing, or hives, and require immediate medical attention. As with other antibiotics, it carries a risk of Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea, which can occur up to two months or more after your last dose. Use caution if you have asthma or kidney disease, and be aware that dicloxacillin may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal birth control pills, so a back-up contraception method is advised. Take it on an empty stomach — one hour before or two hours after meals — with a full glass of water, and complete the entire prescribed course even if you start feeling better. This medication does not carry an FDA boxed warning.
This is general information, not medical advice — talk to your doctor or pharmacist about whether dicloxacillin sodium is right for you and about any other medications or conditions you have.
This Dicloxacillin Sodium information was written and reviewed against authoritative U.S. medical sources — MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), DailyMed, and FDA prescribing information — and checked for accuracy. It is provided for education and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Verify the official label: Dicloxacillin Sodium on DailyMed (FDA)
Reviewed against FDA labeling · Last reviewed July 2026
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Medical disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a licensed physician, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.