Important Note

The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.

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 Use

This medication comes with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. This drug may be taken with or without food, usually once daily with plenty of fluids. Follow directions exactly. Take this medication 4 hours before taking any medications containing magnesium or aluminum. Some examples include quinapril, didanosine, vitamins/minerals, and antacids. Sucralfate, bismuth subsalicylate, iron, and zinc are also included. These medications bind with sparfloxacin preventing its full absorption. 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 disappear during treatment. Diarrhea, drowsiness, nausea, headache, dizziness, insomnia, dry mouth, or stomach pain may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor immediately. Report immediately: skin irritation/swelling, rash, redness, itching (possible sun sensitivity reaction or allergy). Unlikely but report: 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. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: fainting, 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 use, especially of: iron, calcium or zinc vitamins or mineral supplements, sucralfate, antacids. Report other drugs which affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation), such as: dofetilide, pimozide, quinidine, sotalol, procainamide, "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide). Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Also report the use of drugs that cause drowsiness such as: sleeping pills, sedatives, tranquilizers, anxiety medicines, antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.g., diphenhydramine), narcotic pain medications (e.g., codeine). 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.