DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Carbenicillin Indanyl (car-BEN-ih-SILL-in IN-duh-lin)
Brand Name: Geocillin

Geocillin is used for:

Treating infections caused by certain bacteria.

Geocillin is a penicillin antibiotic. It works by blocking the bacteria's cell wall growth, which kills the bacteria.

Do NOT use Geocillin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Geocillin or to another penicillin antibiotic (eg, amoxicillin, ampicillin)
• you are taking a tetracycline antibiotic (eg, doxycycline)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Geocillin :

Some medical conditions may interact with Geocillin . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, difficulty breathing, dizziness) to a cephalosporin (eg, cephalexin) or other beta-lactam antibiotic (eg, imipenem)
• if you have bleeding problems, kidney problems, or liver failure
• if you are on a low-salt diet

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Geocillin . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Tetracyclines (eg, doxycycline) because the effectiveness of Geocillin may be decreased
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased or decreased
• Heparin or methotrexate because the actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased
• Aminoglycosides (eg, gentamicin) or oral contraceptives (eg, ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone) because the effectiveness of these medicines may be decreased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Geocillin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Geocillin :

Use Geocillin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Geocillin may be taken with or without food.
• To clear up your infection completely, continue using Geocillin for the full course of treatment even if you feel better in a few days. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Geocillin , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Geocillin .

Important safety information:

• Geocillin is effective only against bacteria. It is not effective for treating viral infections (eg, the common cold).
• It is important to use Geocillin for the full course of treatment. Failure to do so may decrease the effectiveness of Geocillin and increase the risk that the bacteria will no longer be sensitive to Geocillin and will not be able to be treated by this or certain other antibiotics in the future.
• Long-term or repeated use of Geocillin may cause a second infection. Your doctor may want to change your medicine to treat the second infection. Contact your doctor if signs of a second infection occur.
• If severe diarrhea, stomach pain or cramps, or bloody stools occur, contact your doctor immediately. This could be a symptom of a serious side effect requiring immediate medical attention. Do not treat diarrhea without consulting your doctor.
• Geocillin may decrease the effectiveness of your birth control pill. To prevent pregnancy, be sure to use an additional form of birth control (eg, condoms) while using Geocillin .
• LAB TESTS, including liver function, kidney function, or blood cell counts, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Geocillin with extreme caution in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant while taking Geocillin , discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Geocillin during pregnancy. Geocillin is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast feeding while you are using Geocillin , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Geocillin :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Bad taste in mouth; diarrhea; gas; nausea; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); fever, chills, or sore throat; severe or bloody diarrhea; stomach pain or cramps; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness ; vaginal irritation or discharge.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include seizures.

Proper storage of Geocillin :

Store Geocillin at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Geocillin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Geocillin , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Geocillin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Geocillin . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.