Sparfloxacin

Sparfloxacin is used in the treatment of:

• Chlamydia Infections
• Escherichia coli Infections
• Haemophilus Infections
• Klebsiella Infections
• Pneumonia
• Proteus Infections
• Salmonella Infections
• Staphylococcal Infections
• Streptococcal Infections

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

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

• Zagam

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Sparfloxacin falls into category C:

In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans, though. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

OR

There are no well-controlled studies that have been done in pregnant women. Sparfloxacin should be used during pregnancy only if the possible benefit outweighs the possible risk to the unborn baby.

OR

No studies have been done in animals, and no well-controlled studies have been done in pregnant women. Sparfloxacin should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Sparfloxacin belongs to the class of medicines known as antibiotics. It is used to treat bronchitis and pneumonia caused by bacterial infections.

Sparfloxacin works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, sparfloxacin will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

sparfloxacin is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Sparfloxacin may be taken with meals or on an empty stomach, or with milk products or caffeine-containing products.

Drink plenty of fluids while you are being treated with sparfloxacin. Drinking extra water will help to prevent some unwanted effects of sparfloxacin.

sparfloxacin works best when there is a constant amount in the blood or urine. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. Also, it is best to take the doses at evenly spaced times, day and night. For example, if you are to take one dose a day, try to take it at the same time each day.

Dosing

The dose of sparfloxacin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of sparfloxacin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For treatment of infection:
    • Adults—400 milligrams (mg) on the first day, then 200 mg once a day for an additional nine days.
    • Children younger than 18 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of sparfloxacin, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

If you are taking aluminum-, calcium-, or magnesium-containing antacids, iron supplements, sucralfate, or zinc, do not take them at the same time that you take sparfloxacin. It is best to take these medicines at least 4 hours after taking sparfloxacin. These medicines may keep sparfloxacin from working properly.

Some people who take sparfloxacin may become more sensitive to sunlight than they are normally. Exposure to sunlight, even for brief periods of time, may cause severe sunburn; skin rash, redness, itching, or discoloration; or vision changes. When you begin taking sparfloxacin:

• Stay out of direct sunlight, especially between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., if possible, while you are taking sparfloxacin and for 5 days after you stop taking sparfloxacin.
• Wear protective clothing, including a hat and sunglasses.
• Apply a sun block product that has a skin protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Some patients may require a product with a higher SPF number, especially if they have a fair complexion. However, wearing a sun block product will not prevent a reaction to sunlight while you are taking sparfloxacin. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.
• Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed or booth.

If you have a severe reaction from the sun, check with your doctor. Stay out of direct sunlight and artificial light (e.g., sunlamp, tanning bed or booth) for the next 5 days or until the reaction has stopped.

If you get a skin rash or other signs of an allergic reaction, stop taking sparfloxacin and check with your doctor.

Sparfloxacin may cause some people to become dizzy, lightheaded, drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to sparfloxacin before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert. If these reactions are especially bothersome, check with your doctor.

sparfloxacin may rarely cause inflammation or even tearing of a tendon (the cord that attaches muscles to bones). If you get sudden pain in a tendon after exercise (for example, in your ankle, back of the knee or leg, shoulder, elbow, or wrist), stop taking sparfloxacin and check with your doctor. Rest and do not exercise until the doctor has made sure that you have not injured or torn the tendon.

Applies to sparfloxacin: oral tablet

Along with its needed effects, sparfloxacin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking sparfloxacin:

• Blisters
• itching
• redness of skin
• sensation of skin burning
• skin rash
• swelling of skin

• Abdominal or stomach cramps and pain (severe)
• abdominal tenderness
• diarrhea (watery and severe), which may also be bloody
• fever
• pain, inflammation, or swelling in calves, shoulders, or hands

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking sparfloxacin:

• Irregular heartbeat

• Acute psychosis
• agitation
• confusion
• hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
• tremors

Some side effects of sparfloxacin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Changes in sense of taste
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• headache
• lightheadedness
• nausea
• nervousness
• trouble in sleeping
• vaginal itching and discharge
• vomiting

After you stop using this medicine, it may still produce some side effects that need attention. During this period of time, check with your doctor immediately if you notice the following side effects:

• Abdominal or stomach cramps and pain (severe)
• abdominal tenderness
• diarrhea (watery and severe), which may also be bloody
• fever

LactMed Record Number

245

Last Revision Date

20170808

Disclaimer

Information presented in this database is not meant as a substitute for professional judgment. You should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. The U.S. government does not warrant or assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information on this Site.