Sparfloxacin (patient information)

IMPORTANT WARNING:

Sparfloxacin is no longer available in the U.S. If you are currently taking sparfloxacin, you should call your doctor to discuss switching to another treatment.

Why is this medication prescribed

Sparfloxacin is an antibiotic used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria, such as pneumonia and chronic bronchitis. Antibiotics will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medicine be used

Sparfloxacin comes as a tablet to take by mouth. Sparfloxacin is usually taken for 10 days, starting with two tablets on the first day, followed by one tablet a day for the remaining 9 days. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take sparfloxacin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

The tablets should be taken with a full glass of water.

Continue to take sparfloxacin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking sparfloxacin without talking to your doctor.

What special precautions should I follow

Before taking sparfloxacin:

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sparfloxacin, ciprofloxacin (Cipro), enoxacin (Penetrex), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), cinoxacin (Cinobac), nalidixic acid (NegGram), or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially other antibiotics, anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), cancer chemotherapy agents, cimetidine (Tagamet), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), phenytoin (Dilantin), probenecid (Benemid), sucralfate (Carafate), theophylline (Theo-Dur), and vitamins.
• do not take with antacids (Mylanta, Maalox); calcium, iron, or zinc supplements; didanosine (Videx) chewable/buffered tablets or oral solution; sucralfate (Carafate); or vitamins that contain calcium, iron, or zinc. Take them 4 hours after sparfloxacin.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease, epilepsy, colitis, stomach problems, vision problems, heart disease, or history of stroke.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking sparfloxacin, call your doctor immediately.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking sparfloxacin.
• you should know that this drug may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and tiredness. Do not drive a car or work on dangerous machines until you know how sparfloxacin will affect you.
• plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. *Sparfloxacin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

What special dietary instructions should I follow

Take sparfloxacin 2 hours after a meal. If an upset stomach occurs, take with food. Do not take with dairy products such as milk or yogurt. Drink at least eight full glasses of water or other liquid every day.

What should I do if I forget a dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Side effects

Mild side effects

Sparfloxacin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• upset stomach
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• stomach pain
• headache
• restlessness

Severe side effects

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• skin rash
• itching
• hives
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• swelling of the face or throat
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• dark urine
• pale or dark stools
• blood in urine
• unusual tiredness
• sunburn
• seizures or convulsions
• vaginal infection
• vision changes
• pain, inflammation, or rupture of a tendon

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Keep away from light. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

What other information should I know

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to sparfloxacin.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the sparfloxacin, call your doctor.

Brand names

• Zagam®
• Zagam® Respipac®