Fosfomycin

Dosage Forms & Strengths

powder for reconstitution

• 3g/packet

Urinary Tract Infection (Acute Cystitis)

Acute cystitis caused by E. coli, E. faecalis

Women >18 years: 3 g PO once

Males >18 years: 3 g every 2-3 days for 3 doses

Preparation: Dissolve 1 packet (3 g) in 3-4 oz water

Prostatitis

3 g PO every 3 days for 21 days

Safety & efficacy not established

• Patients should be informed:
  • That MONUROL can be taken with or without food.
  • That their symptoms should improve in two to three days after taking MONUROL; if not improved, the patient should contact her health care provider.
  • Diarrhea is a common problem caused by antibiotics which usually ends when the antibiotic is discontinued. Sometimes after starting treatment with antibiotics, patients can develop watery and bloody stools (with or without stomach cramps and fever) even as late as two or more months after having taken the last dose of the antibiotic. If this occurs, patients should contact their physician as soon as possible.

Fosfomycin is a prescription medication used to treat urinary tract infections. Fosfomycin belongs to a group of drugs called antibiotics. It works by killing the bacteria that causes urinary tract infections. 

This medication comes as granules that must be mixed with water and then taken by mouth immediately after dissolving. It is usually taken once as a single dose, with or without food.

Common side effects of fosfomycin include diarrhea, vaginal itching, nausea, and headache. Fosfomycin can also cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how fosfomycin affects you.

Fosfomycin may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Monurol

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Fosfomycin is usually given in only one dose. Do not take more than a single dose of this medication unless your doctor has told you to.

The usual dose of this medicine is one packet of powder mixed with cold water. Do not use hot water or take the powder in its dry form.

To be sure fosfomycin is the right antibiotic for the type of infection you have, your urine will need to be tested before and after you take this medication. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

It may take 2 or 3 days before your symptoms improve. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve within 3 days after treatment.

Get emergency medical help if you think you have used too much medicine, or if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Less serious side effects are more likely, and you may have none at all. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or is especially bothersome.

Do not share this medicine with anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

Since fosfomycin is usually taken only once as needed, you are not likely to be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Fosfomycin is an antibiotic that fights infection caused by bacteria.

Fosfomycin is used to treat bladder infections.

Fosfomycin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

• It is used to treat a urinary tract infection (UTI).

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.
• Talk with the doctor before starting any new drug, including prescription or OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this medicine, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take fosfomycin or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to fosfomycin. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.

Review Date: October 4, 2017

Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling. [DSC] = Discontinued product

Packet, Oral:

Monurol: 3 g (1 ea, 3 ea [DSC]) [orange flavor]

Uncomplicated urinary tract infections: Treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (acute cystitis) in women due to susceptible strains of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis.

Limitations of use: Not indicated for the treatment of pyelonephritis or perinephric abscess. If persistence or reappearance of bacteriuria occurs after treatment with fosfomycin, other therapeutic agents should be selected.

Always mix with cool water before ingesting; do not administer in its dry form. May be administered without regard to meals.

LactMed: This drug is not expected to cause harmful effects in the nursing infant, especially if older than 2 months. -Fosfomycin sodium (IV): Use is not recommended unless the benefit outweighs the risk. -Fosfomycin tromethamine/trometamol (oral): A decision should be made to discontinue breastfeeding or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother. Excreted into human milk: Yes (low levels)

Low levels were found in human milk (about 8% of serum levels). After 1 to 2 g via injection, colostrum levels in 2 women were 4.8 mg/L and milk levels were 3.6 mg/L.

Substance Name

Fosfomycin

CAS Registry Number

23155-02-4

Drug Class

Antibacterial Agents

Antiinfective Agents, Urinary