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dicloxacillin Side Effects

Also known as: Dynapen

Analysis of 178 adverse event reports submitted to the FDA from 2004 to 2025.

Total Reports

178

Death-Related

20

11.2% of reports

Hospitalizations

69

38.8% of reports

Top Indication

Product Used For Unknown Indication

Most Reported Adverse Reactions

SUSPECTED TRANSMISSION OF AN INFECTIOUS AGENT VIA PRODUCT
13
RASH
12
FATIGUE
11
PRURITUS
11
OFF LABEL USE
10
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT
9
DRUG INEFFECTIVE
9
BACK PAIN
8
DIARRHOEA
8
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY
8
DYSPNOEA
8
HEADACHE
8
NAUSEA
8
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY
7
DEATH
7
HYPERSENSITIVITY
7
STAPHYLOCOCCAL INFECTION
7
ANAEMIA
6
ASTHENIA
6
CHEST PAIN
6

Who Reports Side Effects

Gender Distribution

Female 97 (60%)
Male 65 (40%)

Age Distribution

0-17 4 (3%)
18-44 18 (14%)
45-64 50 (39%)
65-74 25 (20%)
75+ 31 (24%)

Reporting Trend by Year

2004 2025

Reactions in Death Reports

Top reactions reported in 20 reports where death was an outcome. These are voluntarily reported and do not establish causation.

Reaction Reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT 7
DEATH 7
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY 3
ARTHRITIS BACTERIAL 2
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION 2
CELLULITIS 2
CHEST PAIN 2
DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS 2
FALL 2
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION 2
HYPOTENSION 2
LIMB INJURY 2
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION 2
SKIN ULCER 2
STAPHYLOCOCCAL SEPSIS 2
TACHYCARDIA 2
TRAUMATIC HAEMATOMA 2
WHEEZING 2
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER 1
ADVERSE DRUG REACTION 1

Reactions in Hospitalization Reports

Top reactions in 69 reports where hospitalization was an outcome.

Reaction Reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT 9
DYSPNOEA 6
PRURITUS 6
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY 5
ANAEMIA 5
CELLULITIS 5
DIARRHOEA 5
RASH 5
VOMITING 5
BACK PAIN 4
CHEST PAIN 4
DECREASED APPETITE 4
DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS 4
DRUG INTERACTION 4
FATIGUE 4
HYPOKALAEMIA 4
NAUSEA 4
OFF LABEL USE 4
PAIN IN EXTREMITY 4
PYREXIA 4

Nearby — Related Medications

Compare dicloxacillin vs amikacin →

What the FAERS Data Reveals About dicloxacillin Side Effects

The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) contains 178 voluntary reports linked to dicloxacillin and its brand equivalents (Dynapen), spanning 2004 through 2025. Of those, 20 (11.2%) listed death as an outcome and 69 (38.8%) involved hospitalization. The most common indication reported alongside adverse events was Product Used For Unknown Indication.

Demographic breakdowns help contextualize who is being exposed to the drug. Of reports with known sex, 60% were female and 40% male; age distribution skews toward 45-64, with 50 reports in that bracket. The single most reported reaction is suspected transmission of an infectious agent via product with 13 submissions, followed by rash and fatigue.

FAERS is a signal-detection tool, not a scorecard. Reports are voluntary, and a single case may list multiple suspect drugs, so numbers above should not be read as incidence rates or per-patient risk. Widely prescribed drugs naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies even when individual risk is low. These aggregates are useful for spotting patterns that merit further pharmacovigilance, not for choosing between medications. This page is for educational reference only and is not medical advice — speak with a licensed clinician about any side-effect concerns.