dalfopristin and quinupristin

Do not receive this medication if you are allergic to dalfopristin and quinupristin.

Before receiving dalfopristin and quinupristin, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, or a history of any type of allergy.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

Dalfopristin and quinupristin is a combination antibiotic that fights severe or life-threatening infection caused by bacteria.

Dalfopristin and quinupristin is used to treat severe infections in the blood and other body systems.

Dalfopristin and quinupristin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Do not receive this medication if you are allergic to dalfopristin and quinupristin.

Before receiving dalfopristin and quinupristin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease; or
• a history of any type of allergy.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to receive dalfopristin and quinupristin, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether dalfopristin and quinupristin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Dalfopristin and quinupristin is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Dalfopristin and quinupristin is most often given in a hospital setting. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take up to 1 hour or longer to complete.

Dalfopristin and quinupristin is usually given for at least 7 days, or longer for more severe infections.

Since this medicine is usually given in a hospital, it is not likely that you will miss a dose.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a dalfopristin and quinupristin overdose may include vomiting, trouble breathing, tremors, shaking, and loss of balance or coordination.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

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

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
• confusion, seizure (convulsions);
• feeling light-headed, fainting;
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or
• fever, chills, body aches, or other flu symptoms.

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

• joint or muscle pain;
• mild skin rash or itching;
• nausea, vomiting, constipation;
• headache, dizziness, confusion;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• vaginal itching or discharge; or
• pain, swelling, or irritation where the IV needle is placed.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Before receiving dalfopristin and quinupristin, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• astemizole (Himanal), cisapride (Propulsid), or terfenadine (Seldane);
• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
• digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);
• diazepam (Valium) or midazolam (Versed);
• methylprednisolone (Medrol, Duralone, Medipred, and others);
• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), tacrolimus (Prograf);
• cancer medications such as vinblastine (Velban), vincristine (Oncovin), vinorelbine (Navelbine), docetaxel (Taxotere), paclitaxel (Taxol);
• a calcium channel blocker such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Tiazac, Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), nimodipine (Nimotop), nisoldipine (Sular), or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan);
• HIV or AIDS medications such as delavirdine (Rescriptor), indinavir (Crixivan), nevirapine (Viramune), or ritonavir (Norvir); or
• heart rhythm medications such as disopyramide (Norpace), lidocaine, or quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to receive dalfopristin and quinupristin, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect dalfopristin and quinupristin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Your doctor or pharmacist has information about dalfopristin and quinupristin written for health professionals that you may read.