Tag: Oxacillin

Discovered in 1928, penicillin was hailed as a medical marvel, but bacteria quickly evolved resistance, leading to the development of new treatments. A key difference lies in how is oxacillin different from penicillin: its unique resistance to penicillinase, a bacterial enzyme that can inactivate standard penicillin. This vital distinction dictates their specific clinical applications and effectiveness against various bacterial infections.

Methicillin, introduced in 1960 to combat penicillin-resistant *Staphylococcus aureus*, was eventually discontinued due to severe side effects, including acute interstitial nephritis. Oxacillin became its primary replacement, offering a better safety profile and improved reliability for laboratory testing, which is crucial for managing modern infections. This shift represents a pivotal moment in infectious disease management, highlighting the evolution of antibiotic therapy and the importance of safer alternatives.

Although methicillin was first approved for use in 1960, it has been officially discontinued and is no longer commercially available for clinical treatment. This answers the question, **Is methicillin still available?**, and marks a significant chapter in the history of antibiotic development and resistance. Its withdrawal was driven by the rise of resistant bacteria and a high frequency of adverse side effects.

While flucloxacillin remains a common antibiotic prescribed in the UK, often for skin and soft tissue infections, it is not used in the USA due to significant safety concerns regarding a higher risk of drug-induced liver injury, specifically a type of severe cholestasis. This absence is a result of both pharmaceutical marketing history and the careful balancing of risk versus reward by regulatory bodies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).