Trovafloxacin (patient information)

IMPORTANT WARNING

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

Trovafloxacin may cause serious liver injury leading to liver transplantation or death, especially when it is taken for more than 2 weeks. Trovafloxacin should be used only for serious infections. Talk to your doctor about the risk of taking trovafloxacin.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: increased fatigue, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin and eyes, severe stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, or dark urine. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your response to trovafloxacin.

Why is this medication prescribed

Trovafloxacin is an antibiotic used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria, such as pneumonia and skin, urinary, respiratory, sinus, gynecological, sexually transmitted, and gastrointestinal tract infections. 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

Trovafloxacin comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken once a day with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take trovafloxacin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

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

What special precautions should I follow

Before taking trovafloxacin

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to trovafloxacin, alatrofloxacin, cinoxacin (Cinobac), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), enoxacin (Penetrex), erythromycin, levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), nalidixic acid (NegGram), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), 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), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), medications containing caffeine (NoDoz, Vivarin), morphine, probenecid (Benemid), sucralfate (Carafate), theophylline (Theo-Dur), and vitamins.
you should know that antacids (Mylanta, Maalox), iron or zinc supplements, or vitamins that contain iron or zinc may interfere with trovafloxacin. Take antacids, supplements, or vitamins 2 hours before or 4 hours after trovafloxacin.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease, epilepsy, or any other neurological disorder.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking trovafloxacin, call your doctor immediately.
you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how trovafloxacin will affect you.
plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Trovafloxacin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

What special dietary instructions should I follow

Do not eat or drink a lot of caffeine-containing products, such as coffee, tea, cola, or chocolate. Avoid large amount amounts of these substance while taking trovafloxacin.

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

Although side effects from trovafloxacin are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

dizziness
lightheadedness
headache
drowsiness
upset stomach
vomiting
diarrhea

Severe side effects

If you experience any of the following symptoms, or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

skin rash or hives
itching
sunburn
swelling of the face or throat
difficulty breathing or swallowing
depression
hallucinations
seizures
change in vision
vaginal infection
pain, inflammation, or rupture of a tendon

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

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). 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

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 trovafloxacin, call your doctor.

Brand names

Trovan®