quinupristin/dalfopristin – injection, Synercid

MEDICATION USES: This medication is a combination of 2 antibiotics. It is used to treat certain serious bacterial infections that have not responded to treatment with other antibiotics (resistant infections). This medication belongs to the class of antibiotics called streptogramins. Quinupristin/dalfopristin works by stopping the growth of bacteria.

HOW TO USE: This medication is given by injection into a vein as directed by your doctor, usually 2 to 3 times daily. It should be injected slowly over 1 hour. The dosage is based on your medical condition, body weight, and response to treatment. If you are giving this medication to yourself at home, learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional. Before using, visually check this product for particles or discoloration. If present, do not use the liquid. Learn how to store and discard medical supplies safely. Antibiotics work best when the medicine in your body is at a constant level. Use this drug at evenly spaced intervals. Continue using this medication for the full time prescribed, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow, resulting in a return of the infection. Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, inform your doctor or pharmacist. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefits outweigh the risks of side effects. Many people using this medication do not experience serious side effects. Inform your doctor right away if you develop redness/swelling/pain/warming of the skin at the injection site. Flushing the IV line after each dose of this medication with dextrose 5 percent in water solution as directed will reduce the risk of vein irritation. Inform your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects, including: joint/muscle pain, yellowing eyes/skin, blood in the urine. Get medical help right away if you experience this rare but serious side effect: chest pain. This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition (Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea) due to a type of resistant bacteria. Inform your doctor if you develop persistent diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, blood/mucus in your stool. Prolonged or repeated use of this medication may result in oral thrush or a new vaginal yeast infection. Contact your doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge, or other new symptoms. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US, call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada, call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

PRECAUTIONS: Before using quinupristin/dalfopristin, inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or other streptogramin antibiotics (e.g., pristinamycin, virginiamycin), or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, inform your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history, especially of liver problems and high levels of bilirubin in the blood (hyperbilirubinemia). During pregnancy, use this medication only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: For information on drug interactions, refer to the "How to Use" section. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include digoxin. This drug can slow down the removal of certain medications from your body by affecting certain liver enzymes. These affected drugs include those that may affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation in the EKG), infrequently resulting in serious irregular heartbeat. Quinupristin/dalfopristin should not be used with certain medications because very serious interactions may occur, such as certain antiarrhythmic drugs, cisapride, certain macrolide antibiotics, and certain antipsychotics. If you are currently using any of these medications, inform your doctor or pharmacist before starting quinupristin/dalfopristin. This drug can also slow down the removal of other drugs from your body by affecting certain liver enzymes. Before taking quinupristin/dalfopristin, inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medications: certain drugs to suppress the immune system, certain drugs to treat HIV, certain anti-cancer drugs, calcium channel blockers, certain "statin" drugs to lower cholesterol, certain benzodiazepines, carbamazepine, corticosteroids, and drugs to treat erectile dysfunction-ED or pulmonary hypertension. Although most antibiotics probably do not affect hormonal birth control, be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist if you should use additional reliable birth control methods while using this antibiotic.

QUESTION

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. NOTES: Laboratory and/or medical tests should be periodically performed to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details. MISSED DOSE: For the best possible benefit, it is important to receive each scheduled dose of this medication as directed. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately to establish a new dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up. STORAGE: Consult the product instructions and your pharmacist for storage details. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company. Information last revised March 2013. Copyright(c) 2013 First Databank, Inc.