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| Pronunciation |
|
 (dye
RITH roe mye
sin) |
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|
| Brand Names |
|
| Dynabac® |
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|
| Therapeutic
Categories |
|
|
Antibiotic, Macrolide |
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|
| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to any other macrolide, dirithromycin, or any
other part of the medicine.
- If you are taking
pimozide.
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used as a treatment for a variety of bacterial
infections.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Dirithromycin prevents protein production in bacteria and allows the
body to get the infection under
control.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
- Take with food.
- Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
- Use entire prescription as directed, even if feeling
better.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
|
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|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can make infection
more difficult to treat.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Birth control pills may not work. Use another form of birth control
while taking this medicine.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Diarrhea. Yogurt, Bifidobacterium bifidum
, or Lactobacillus acidophilus
may help. These products are available at health food stores or in some
pharmacies.
- Belly pain and cramps.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Watch for change in temperature or worsening of
infection.
|
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Fever and/or chills.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
|
|
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight container at room
temperature.
|
|
|
| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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