Bacilex is indicated for treatment of infections caused by mecillinam-sensitive organisms, e.g. acute cystitis, complicated urinary tract infections, salmonellosis, shigellosis, enteropathic E. coli diarrhoea, gram-negative septicaemia, billiary infections.
Pivmecillinam belongs to a new class of penicillin-the amdinopenicillin. Pivmecillinam is a prodrug formulation of mecillinam which allows the drug to be administered by mouth. The prodrug form lacks antibacterial activity, but the active drug is liberated by enzymatic hydrolysis during absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Pivmecillinam is bactericidal. It acts by interfering with bacterial cell wall synthesis, but the site of action differs from that of other penicilins. Pivmecillinam is very active against Enterobacteriaceae. It is active against E. coli, Klebsiella, Proteus, Enterobacter, Salmonella, Shigella and Yersinia. Pivmecillinam has poor activity against Gram- positive organisms. It has poor activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and has practically no activity against Enterococcus faecalis.
Adults: The usual dose : 1-2 tablets 3 times daily according to severity of the infection. In acute uncomplicated cystitis: initially 400 mg then 200 mg every 8 hours for 3 days. In chronic or recurrent bacteriurea: 400 mg 6-8 hours. For the treatment of salmonellosis (including enteric fever): 1.2-2.4 gm daily for 14 days. To eliminate salmonella carriage, therapy may be prolonged for 2-4 weeks. In complicated urinary tract infection the usual treatment time is 1-2 weeks. For prophylactic treatment of recurrent urinary tract infections: 1 tablet every evening is recommended. Children: The usual dose : Weighing less than 20 kg should be given 20-60 mg/kg divided into 3-4 daily doses. Those weighing more than 20 kg should receive normal adult dose. In shigellosis: 20 mg/kg 4 times a day for 5 days. For UTI: 20-40 mg/kg/day in 3-4 divided doses For salmonellosis: 30-60 mg/kg/day in 3-4 divided doses The tablet should be taken with at least 50-100 ml fluid. As the bioavailability is practically unaffected by simultaneous food intake, This tablets are best taken with or immediately after a meal.
Always consult a registered doctor before taking any medicine. This information is for general knowledge only.
Bacilex is generally well tolerated, even by patients with reduced kidney function. Upper gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea or indigestion may occur when a dose has been given on an empty stomach. Skin rashes have been reported in some cases, but the characteristic ampicillin-rash has never been observed, nor has there been any evidence of hepato-, nephro-, or ototoxicity. The occurrence of anaphylaxis, though not yet reported, cannot be entirely excluded.
There have been no reports on allergy to Pivmecillinam among patients with a known history of hypersensitivity to penicillins and cephalosporins. Nevertheless, it seems reasonable to exclude such patients from treatment with Pivmecillinam until further experience has been gained.
As with other antibiotics, which are excreted mainly by the kidneys, raised blood levels of mecillinam may occur if repeated doses are given with impaired renal function.