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| Pronunciation |
|
 (spar
FLOKS a
sin) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Zagam® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antibiotic, Quinolone |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to another quinolone antibiotic, sparfloxacin,
or any other part of the medicine.
- If you are taking any of these medicines: Amiodarone, bepridil,
cisapride, disopyramide, furosemide, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol,
albuterol, astemizole, chloroquine, cisapride, halofantrine, phenothiazines,
prednisone, terfenadine, or tricyclic
antidepressants.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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|
- This medicine is used as a treatment for a variety of bacterial
infections.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Sparfloxacin inhibits metabolic activities in the bacteria causing its
death.
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| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
- Take with or without food. Take with food (no milk or yogurt) if this
medicine causes an upset stomach.
- Do not take dairy products, antacids, didanosine, multivitamins,
minerals (calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium), nutritional supplements, or
sucralfate within 4 hours of this medicine.
- Make sure you are drinking enough liquids unless told to drink less by
healthcare provider. Avoid products with caffeine.
- Use entire prescription as directed, even if feeling
better.
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| 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? |
|
|
- Not recommended in children younger than 18 years of age.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Alcohol may make
infection more difficult to treat.
- You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun. Use sunscreen;
wear protective clothing and eyewear.
- 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.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
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|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Belly pain and cramps.
- 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.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Watch for change in temperature or worsening of
infection.
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| 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.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Pain in back of the ankle. The part called the Achilles tendon.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store tablets in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
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| 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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