SPARFLOXACIN - ORAL (spar-FLOX-uh-sin)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S):
Zagam

USES:
This medication is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, usually of the respiratory tract (lungs).

HOW TO TAKE THIS MEDICATION:
This drug may be taken with or without food, usually once daily with plenty of fluids. Follow directions exactly. Mineral supplements or vitamins with iron, zinc or calcium; magnesium or aluminum-containing antacids and sucralfate may be taken 4 hours after this medicine. This will allow the antibiotic to work. Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Do this by taking the medication at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night. Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow resulting in a relapse of the infection.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Most side effects are mild to moderate in intensity and disappeared during treatment. Diarrhea, drowsiness, nausea headache, dizziness, insomnia, dry mouth, or stomach pain might occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor. Report immediately any skin irritation/swelling, rash, redness or itching (possible sun sensitivity reaction, or allergy). Unlikely but report any vaginal discomfort. Very unlikely but report seizures, mood/mental changes, eye problems, unusual change in amount of urine, fever, rash, muscle/joint pain, trouble breathing, yellowing eyes/skin, unusual bleeding/bruising or chest pain/irregular heartbeat. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS:
Before taking this drug, tell your doctor your entire medical history, especially including any allergies, previous drug reactions (rash) to sunlight, kidney disease, heart conditions, certain mental conditions (psychosis), blood vessel disease (carotid arteries), brain disorders (e.g., seizures or or cancer) or tendon problems. This drug is not used in people who must be exposed to sunlight as part of job or lifestyle. Exposure to direct or indirect sunlight, tanning lamps, etc., should be avoided for the entire treatment period and five days beyond. Only sunscreens which block UV-A rays (e.g., octocrylene or Parsol-1789 containing products) have been effective protection, along with adequate clothing. Limit alcohol, since this drug could cause drowsiness and alcohol can intensify this effect. Caution performing tasks requiring mental alertness until you know the effect of the drug. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This drug is excreted into human milk. It is advised to either stop the drug or stop breast-feeding. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. This antibiotic is not recommended for use in persons under 18 years old. Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in a secondary infection (e.g., oral, bladder or vaginal yeast infection).

DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication you may take, especially certain drugs for irregular heartbeat (e.g., disopyramide, amiodarone, quinidine, procainamide, sotalol, bepridil), iron, calcium or zinc vitamin or mineral supplements, sucralfate, antacids, terfenadine, astemizole, cisapride, erythromycin, pentamidine, tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, nortriptyline), and certain psychiatric or nausea medicines (e.g., phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, promethazine). Also, drugs for sleep, sedatives, tranquilizers, anxiety medicines, antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (drowsiness-causing), or narcotic pain drugs. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

NOTES:
This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another infection or give it to someone else. A different medication may be needed in those cases.

MISSED DOSE:
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not “double-up” the dose to catch up.

STORAGE:
Store at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.

Drugs & Medications

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

The drug reference included in this section is provided by Cerner Multum, Inc., of Denver, Colorado. Armenian Medical Network receives monthly updates from Multum.