What is Dificid?
Dificid macrolides are antibiotics that kill sensitive bacteria. Dificid is a medication used as a treatment for the symptoms of diarrhea caused by infection by Clostridium difficile. Fidaxomicin is different from other medications since it enters the stomach and intestines of your body without being absorbed into the bloodstream. Dificid can be used by adults and young children who are six months of age.
Warnings
Dificid is not used to treat illnesses that are not caused by Clostridium difficile. This medicine is intended to treat diarrhea caused by an infection caused by Clostridium difficile.
Consult your physician immediately when you notice an adverse reaction that is serious, like fever, chills and flu indications, sores in your mouth, white skin, feeling lightheaded or short of breath, a fast heart rate, difficulty concentrating, bloody or tarry stools, or throwing up blood or vomiting that looks like coffee grounds.
Consult your physician immediately when you notice an adverse reaction that is serious, like fever, chills and flu signs, mouth ulcers, paler skin tone, sensations of being lightheaded or breathless or having a rapid heart rate, difficulties in concentrating bloody or tarry stool, spitting out blood, or vomiting that looks like coffee grounds.
Before you take this drug
It is not recommended to use Dificid if you have an allergy to fidaxomicin or any other macrolide antibiotics like azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, or telithromycin. Fidaxomicin is not a treatment for a viral disease like those that cause a commonly-assisted cold or the flu. Inform your doctor if you are nursing or pregnant. Dificid is not approved for use by any person younger than 6 months of age.
Related drugs
Metronidazole, vancomycin, flagyl, penicillin vs. potassium, and acidophilus
How to take Dificid?
Use Dificid exactly as recommended by your physician. Follow the instructions on the prescription label and review all medication guides and instructions sheets. You can take this medicine in combination with food or not.
shake up the oral suspension (liquid) prior to taking the dosage. Make use of the dosing syringe supplied or a dose-recording device (not the kitchen spoon). Be sure to follow the instructions when measuring doses for children. Fidaxomicin doses are determined by the weight of children.
Dificid is generally used to treat an ailment for 10 consecutive days. Follow the instructions of your doctor for dosing extremely carefully. Take this medication for the prescribed amount of time, even if symptoms improve quickly. Not taking your doses regularly can increase the chances of contracting an illness that is resistant to treatment. Fidaxomicin does not treat viral infections such as the flu or common cold. Keep the tablet within the container in its bottle, at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.
Keep the fluid medication in the fridge, but do not put it in the freezer. The medicine should be removed from the refrigerator 15 minutes prior to administering each dose. Don't keep the medicine in the refrigerator for longer than 15 minutes. Get rid of any liquids that are not used in the course of 12 consecutive days.
Details on dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Clostridial Infection:
200 mg orally, twice per day for 10 consecutive days
Use: To treat diarrhea associated with Clostridioides diffiiculus (CDAD).
Usual Pediatric Dose for Clostridial Infection:
6 Months to Less Than 18 Years:
Oral suspension:
Weight 4 to less than 7kg: 80 mg per day, twice
Weight 7 to less than 9kg: 120 mg taken orally twice per day
Weights: 9 to 12.5 kg; 160 mg taken daily, orally twice
Weight at the minimum of 12.5 kg, 200 mg, daily, orally.
Tablets:
At a minimum, 12.5 kg and 200 mg are taken daily, orally.
The duration of treatment Duration of therapy: 10 days
Use: To treat CDAD
What happens if I miss the dose?
Do not take the medicine for as long as you are able, but avoid any missed doses if you are close to the time of the next dose. Don't have two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
For medical emergencies, seek emergency medical attention or contact for help at the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should be avoided?
Don't use fidaxomicin to treat any health issue that has not been examined by your physician.
Side effects of Dificid
Stop taking this medication and seek emergency medical assistance if you exhibit symptoms of an allergy reaction or a reaction: hives, itching, rash, breathing difficulties, and swelling of your lips, face, or tongue.
See your doctor right away. If you suffer from:
- An inflammation of your colon and stomach, causing stomach discomfort and gastric pain or bloody stool, quick heartbeats, a cold, or clammy skin, feeling like you're about to be ill;
- Lower blood-cell counts (fever, chills, tiredness, lips sores or skin abrasions, bleeding that is not normal, easy bruising of pale skin feet and hands, and feeling lightheaded or sluggish; or
- Symptoms for stomach bleeding, bloody or tarry stool, the vomiting of blood, or vomiting that appears similar to coffee grounds.
Some common side-effects of the Dificid can be:
- Nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain;
- Diarrhea, constipation;
- Stomach bleeding;
- Fever;
- Low blood cell count;
- Abnormal liver function test results and
This isn't a complete list of possible side effects, and other side effects could occur. Consult your physician to seek medical advice on the effects. You can report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drug
Other medications may interfere with fidaxomicin, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your physician about all the medicines you are currently taking as well as any medications you are about to start or stop taking.
