Bacitracin

Bacitracin is an antibiotic used intramuscularly (IM) for the treatment of infants with pneumonia and empyema caused by staphylococci shown to be susceptible to the drug.

Bacitracin is available under the following different brand names: BACiiM.

Pediatric Dosage Forms and Strengths

Lyophilized powder for injection solution

• 50,000 units/vial

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Pneumonia or Empyema

• Use is limited to neonates/infants with pneumonia or empyema caused by susceptible strains of Sstaphylococci when less toxic antibiotics would not be effective
• Under 2.5 kg: 900 units/kg/day intramuscularly (IM) divided every 8-12 hours
• 2.5 kg or greater: 1,000 units/kg/day intramuscularly (IM) divided every 8-12 hours
• Children: 800-1200 units/kg/day divided every 8 hours
• Administer intramuscularly (IM) in upper outer quadrant of the buttocks, alternating right and left and avoid multiple injections in the same region
• Adult: Not indicated

Common side effects of bacitracin include:

• Nephrotoxic reactions (kidney toxicity) including albuminuria, cylindruria, and azotemia
• Nausea and vomiting
• Itching
• Blood dyscrasias
• Sweating
• Injection site reactions (pain, burning, swelling)
• Skin rashes

Serious side effects of bacitracin include:

• Urinating more than usual or more often
• Urinating less than usual, or not at all (fewer wet diapers)
• Blood in the urine
• Lower back pain
• Painful urination

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.

Bacitracin has no known severe, serious, moderate, or mild interactions with other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns or for more information about this medicine.

Warnings

Nephrotoxicity

• Parenteral (i.e., intramuscular [IM] administration) may cause renal failure due to tubular and glomerular necrosis
• Monitor renal function before initiating and daily during therapy
• Do not exceed recommended daily dose
• Maintain fluid intake and urinary output to avoid kidney toxicity
• Discontinue if renal toxicity develops
• Avoid concurrent use with other nephrotoxic drugs (e.g., streptomycin, gentamicin, kanamycin, polymyxin B, colistin, neomycin, amphotericin B)

This medication contains bacitracin. Do not take BACiiM if you are allergic to bacitracin or any ingredients contained in this drug.

Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity

Effects of Drug Abuse

• No information available

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Bacitracin?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Bacitracin?"

Cautions

• Do not administer intravenously; severe thrombophlebitis could occur.
• Prescribing in absence of proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or prophylactic indication may not benefit patient and increases development of bacterial resistance.
• Maintain adequate fluid intake.
• Antibiotics may cause overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms, including fungi.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Intramuscular bacitracin use is limited to neonates/infants with pneumonia or empyema caused by susceptible strains of staphylococci when less toxic antibiotics would not be effective and is unlikely to be used in pregnant or breastfeeding women.
• Use other forms of bacitracin with caution during pregnancy if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies are not available or neither animal nor human studies were done. It is unknown whether other forms of bacitracin are distributed in breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.