Bacitracin (bas-i-TRAY-sin)

Treats babies who have a specific type of pneumonia or infection that produces pus. These infections are caused by a bacteria called Staphylococcus (staf-uh-low-KAH-kus).

Brand Name(s):

Baciim, NovaPlus BACiiM, BACiiM

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• The doctor will prescribe your child's exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your child's muscles.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give your child this medicine.
• Your child should keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if he or she feels better after the first few doses. The infection may not clear up if the medicine is stopped too soon.

If a dose is missed:

• This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If your child misses a dose, call the doctor or nurse for instructions.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your child's doctor knows if your child is using any other antibiotic medicines such as streptomycin, polymyxin B, polymyxin E (colistin), neomycin, kanamycin (Kantrex®), amikacin (Amikin®), tobramycin, or gentamicin (Garamycin®).
• Tell the doctor if you are giving your child any pain or fever medicines such as acetaminophen (Infant's or Children's Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Children's Motrin®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your child's doctor knows if your child has a history of kidney disease.
• This medicine should be given only in a hospital or health care facility. Your child must be watched closely while using this medicine.
• The health caregiver will closely monitor how much fluid your child drinks and how much they urinate. If your child becomes dehydrated and cannot swallow liquids, he or she might be given fluids through a tube in a vein (IV).
• Tell your child's doctor right away if you think your child's symptoms are getting worse. Also tell the doctor if you think your child is having new symptoms.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your child's face or hands, swelling or tingling in your child's mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Change in how much or how often your child urinates.
• Lower back pain.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Nausea, vomiting.
• Pain, swelling, or burning where the shot is given.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088