Geocillin

Pronunciation: KAR-ben-i-SIL-in
Generic Name: Carbenicillin Indanyl
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 they may decrease Geocillin's effectiveness


• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because their actions and the risk of their side effects may be increased or decreased by Geocillin


• Heparin or methotrexate because their actions and the risk of their side effects may be increased by Geocillin


• Aminoglycosides (eg, gentamicin) or oral contraceptives (eg, ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Geocillin

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.

• Take Geocillin by mouth with or without food.


• To clear up your infection completely, take Geocillin for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.


• 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 only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).


• Be sure to use Geocillin for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.


• Long-term or repeated use of Geocillin may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.


• Mild diarrhea is common with antibiotic use. However, a more serious form of diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis) may rarely occur. This may develop while you use the antibiotic or within several months after you stop using it. Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.


• Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) may not work as well while you are using Geocillin. To prevent pregnancy, use an extra form of birth control (eg, condoms).


• Lab tests, including liver function, kidney function, or blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Geocillin. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Geocillin should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Geocillin while you are pregnant. Geocillin is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Geocillin, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible 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); bloody or water stools; fever, chills, or sore throat; severe or persistent 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 about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Geocillin side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, 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.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

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.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Geocillin resources

• Geocillin Side Effects (in more detail)
• Geocillin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Geocillin Drug Interactions
• Geocillin Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Geocillin - Add your own review/rating

• Geocillin Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Geocillin Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Geocillin Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Geocillin Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

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