Complex Outpatient Antimicrobial Therapy Clinic (COPAT) Monitoring Your Antibiotics

Why do I need checking while on antibiotic tablets?

Antibiotics can cause side effects. This can happen with any type. Some, like Linezolid and Co-Trimoxazole, are more likely to cause problems, especially if you take them for more than two weeks.

Regular blood tests and talking to your COPAT Nurse or Pharmacist help find problems early. If needed, your medicine can be changed.

What is COPAT Clinic?

The COPAT Clinic looks after you while you take antibiotics.

Your first visit is at Union House, St James Hospital.

At this visit, we will:

• Take a blood test.
• Check your tablets.
• Tell you about side effects.
• If you are on linezolid or co-trimoxazole, you will usually need a blood test every week.
• After this, we will normally phone you once a week to see how you are and talk about your blood test.

Benefits of taking antibiotic tablets:

• Taking linezolid or co-trimoxazole often means you don’t need antibiotics through a drip.
• This means you don’t need to stay in hospital, visit as often, or have a tube (cannula/line) in your arm.

Risks of taking antibiotic tablets:

• Antibiotics can sometimes cause side effects or changes in blood tests. Most of the time this can be managed as an outpatient, but sometimes you may need hospital care.
• Rarely, antibiotics can cause a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). This is very uncommon.

If you are taking other medicines:

• Always tell the COPAT Team about all the medicines you take, including any new ones.
• Some medicines can affect each other.
• Please bring a list of your medicines to your appointment.

Tablet supply:

• You should get your full course of tablets from the hospital.
• If you don’t have enough, contact the COPAT Team.

Linezolid

• Linezolid is a tablet used to treat many infections.
• It works as well as the drip version.
• Treatment usually lasts 1 – 4 weeks. Sometimes it may be needed for up to six weeks.
• If your blood tests are fine and you feel well, you can carry on with support from the COPAT Team.

Possible side effects (Linezolid):

• Common: low blood cells (anaemia or low platelets), tummy upset (constipation, diarrhoea, pain, nausea, vomiting), headache, dizziness, rash, high blood pressure, problems sleeping, body pain, higher risk of infection, taste changes.
• Less common: swelling, irregular heartbeat, cold shivers, dry mouth, tiredness, nerve or kidney problems, seizures, ringing in the ears, vision changes, stroke-like symptoms, low sodium, inflammation of the pancreas, sweating, feeling very thirsty or passing urine often.
• Rare: lactic acidosis (too much acid in blood), colitis (severe diarrhoea), tooth colour change, muscle damage, allergic reaction.

Co-trimoxazole

• Co-trimoxazole is another tablet used to treat infections.
• It can also cause side effects.

Possible side effects (Co-trimoxazole):

• Common: diarrhoea, headache, nausea, rash, thrush, salt changes in blood.
• Less common: vomiting.
• Rare: tiredness, vomiting, breathing changes, swelling, low blood cells, poor appetite, cough, mood changes, fever, hallucinations, sun-sensitive skin, kidney or liver problems, low blood sugar, seizures, dizziness, ringing in ears, balance or vision problems, skin colour change, taste changes, inflammation of gut or pancreas, meningitis, muscle aches, allergic reaction.

Other Antibiotics:

Some other tablets also need blood test checks. If you’re given one of these, your doctor or the COPAT Team will explain what side effects to watch for.

Where can I get my bloods done?

Phlebotomy Departments open 8:30am – 4:30pm, no appointment needed:

• St James Hospital
  – First floor Chancellor Wing 0113 206 4712
  – Ground floor Lincoln Wing 0113 206 6396
  – First floor Bexley Wing 0113 206 8256
• Leeds General Infirmary
  – Brotherton Wing 0113 392 3684
• Chapel Allerton Hospital 0113 392 4540
• Seacroft Hospital (General Outpatients)
• Wharfdale Hospital
  – Ground floor 0113 392 1827

Or you can make an appointment online (search LTHT blood tests) at:

• Armley Moor Health Centre
• James Reed House, Beeston
• Seacroft Hospital

If you cannot attend any of these places you may be able to organise with your GP.

Anaphylaxis

This is a severe allergic reaction that can cause;

• Tongue or lip swelling.
• New wheezing or difficulty breathing.

What is I feel unwell at home?

If you are worried about feeling unwell, please contact the COPAT team.

COPAT 0113 206 6250 or 07 9170 91155.

Monday – Friday 7am – 5pm
Weekends and Bank Holidays 7am – 3pm

If you have a problem in the evening or overnight call
Ward J20 0113 206 9120 (5pm – 8am).