What is Fidaxomicin?
Fidaxomicin, a macrolide antibacterial, is used to fight bacteria. Fidaxomicin treats diarrhea due to a Clostridium difficile infection. Fidaxomicin can be used in both adults and children older than 6 months. Fidaxomicin is different from other medications because it does not enter your bloodstream. Instead, it goes straight to your stomach and intestines. Fidaxomicin can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Fidaxomicin
If you experience any of the following: hives, rash or itching, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat, stop taking fidaxomicin immediately and seek emergency medical attention.
Fidaxomicin may cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Inflammation in the colon: stomach pain, bloating, and bloody stools Fast heartbeats. Cool or clammy feeling.
- Low blood cell counts: fever; chills; fatigue; sores on the lips; sores on the skin; easy bruising and bleeding; pale or cold skin; hands and feet that are cold; feeling of being light-headed, short-of-breath, etc.
- Signs of stomach bleeding include bloody or tarry stool, vomiting blood, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Fidaxomicin can cause a number of side effects.
- Nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain;
- Diarrhea, constipation;
- Stomach bleeding;
- Fever;
- Low blood cell count
- Abnormal liver function tests
There may be other side effects.Needing advice regarding side effects? Consult a medical provider. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Similar/related drugs
metronidazole, vancomycin, flagyl, penicillin, potassium, and acidophilus
Warnings
Fidaxomicin must only be used for diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficilis. If you experience any serious side effects, such as a fever, chills or flu symptoms, sores on the mouth, pale skin or feeling short of breath or lightheaded, rapid heartbeat, difficulty concentrating, bloody stools or tarry stool, or vomiting blood or coffee grounds, call your doctor immediately.
Before you take this drug
This medicine should not be used if you have an allergy to fidaxomicin or any other macrolide antibacterials such as azithromycin or clarithromycin. Fidaxomicin is not for treating viral infections such as the common cold or flu. Fidaxomicin does not treat a virus, such as a cold. Inform your physician immediately if you become pregnant or nursing. Fidaxomicin should not be used by children younger than six months.
How to take Fidaxomicin?
Read all instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow all directions. Follow the directions on the label.Fidaxomicin can be taken either with or without food.Before measuring a dose, shake the orally suspended liquid. Use the provided dosing device or a dose-measuring tool (not a spoon). Follow the directions carefully when measuring a dose for your child. Fidaxomicin dosages for children are calculated based on their weight. Fidaxomicin should be taken for 10 consecutive daysTake extra precaution in following your doctor's orders and instructions. Fidaxomicin should be taken for the entire prescribed time period, even if symptoms improve quickly. You can get an infection resistant to the medication if you skip doses. Fidaxomicin does not treat viral infections such as the flu and a common cold. Keep the fidaxomicin tablet at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
Do not freeze. Store fidaxomicin liquid in the fridge. Remove the medicine from the refrigerator 15 minutes before each dose. Do not leave the medication out longer than 15 minutes. After 12 days, throw away any liquid that has not been used.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for clostridial infection:
Take 200 mg twice daily for 10 days.
Use: To treat Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD).
The usual pediatric dose for clostridial infection is:
Six Months to 18 Years and Less:
Oral suspension:
Weight: 4 kg to less than 7kg: 80 mg twice daily.
Weight: 7 to 9 kg. Orally, take 120 mg twice daily.
Weight 9 to 12.5 kg or less: Take 160 mg twice daily.
Weight at least 12.50 kg: Take 200 mg twice daily.
Tablets:
Weight at least 12.50 kg: Take 200 mg twice daily.
Duration of treatment: 10 days
Use: for the treatment of CDAD
What happens if I miss the dose?
If it is almost time for your next dose, do not double up on it - take only what is prescribed at one time!
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Fidaxomicin should not be used to treat any conditions that have not been examined by your doctor.
Interaction with other drugs
Fidaxomicin can be affected by other drugs, such as vitamins and herbal products. Informing your physician of all medications you are currently taking and those which you begin or discontinue is very important for maintaining good health and is required by law.
