Dalfopristin; Quinupristin injection

What is this medicine?

DALFOPRISTIN; QUINUPRISTIN (dal FOE pris tin; kwi NYOO pris tin) is a streptogramin antibiotic. It is used to treat certain kinds of bacterial infections. It will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for infusion into a vein. It is usually given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

If you get this medicine at home, you will be taught how to prepare and give this medicine. Use exactly as directed. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine early.

It is important that you put your used needles and syringes in a special sharps container. Do not put them in a trash can. If you do not have a sharps container, call your pharmacist or healthcare provider to get one.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 12 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing problems

• fast, irregular heartbeat

• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls

• fever or chills

• flushing, reddening of the face and neck

• muscle or joint pain

• numb, tingling pain

• pain at site where injected

• swelling of the arms, hands, legs, or feet

• unusually tired or weak

• yellowing of the eyes or skin

• vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation

• difficulty sleeping

• headache

• diarrhea

• nausea

• upset stomach

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• cisapride

• ranolazine

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• carbamazepine

• cyclosporine

• dofetilide

• medicines for anxiety or sleep like diazepam, midazolam

• medicines for cholesterol like lovastatin

• medicines for HIV like delavirdine, indinavir, nevirapine, ritonavir

• steroid medicines like methylprednisolone

• tacrolimus

• some medicines for cancer like docetaxel, paclitaxel, vinblastine

• some medicines for irregular heart beat like disopyramide, quinidine, lidocaine

• some medicines for heart disease like diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

If you are using this medicine at home, you will be instructed on how to store this medicine. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date on the label.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• liver disease

• other chronic illness

• an unusual or allergic reaction to dalfopristin, quinupristin, pristinamycin, virginiamycin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.

Do not treat diarrhea with over the counter products. Contact your doctor if you have diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days or if it is severe and watery.