Capreomycin
About
Capreomycin belongs to the group of medicines called 'antitubercular agent/ medication'. It is a second-line treatment medication used for active drug-resistant tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs. Capreomycin should not be used alone and must be given in combination with other tuberculosis medications.
Capreomycin consists of a medicine called 'Capreomycin'. It is an antitubercular agent that inhibits bacteria's cell wall biosynthesis in susceptible strains of bacteria that causes tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis).
Capreomycin is given as an injection and should be administered intramuscularly/intravenously only under a healthcare professional's supervision. It should be used regularly at evenly spaced time intervals as prescribed by your doctor. The dose and duration of Capreomycin can vary depending on your condition and the severity of the infection. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects such as pain and induration at the injection site, vertigo (a sensation of feeling off-balance) and kidney (renal) failure, and electrolyte disturbances (hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia and hypocalcemia) have been reported. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Do not stop taking Capreomycin despite symptomatic relief. Treat your condition effectually. Continue taking Capreomycin for as long as it has been prescribed. Do not take Capreomycin if you have severe kidney disease. Capreomycin may cause vertigo (a sensation of feeling off-balance), so drive with caution if you experience these signs. You are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Capreomycin to avoid unpleasant side effects. Consult your doctor before taking Capreomycin if you are pregnant. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies on pregnant women. Capreomycin should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the fetus's potential risk. Caution should be exercised when Capreomycin is administered to a nursing woman. Capreomycin can't be used in children as safety and effectiveness in paediatric patients have not been established.
Uses of Capreomycin
Medicinal Benefits
Capreomycin is used together with other medicines to treat tuberculosis (TB) in patients who have received other medicines that did not work well. Capreomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Capreomycin
- Electrolyte disturbances including hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia and hypocalcemia
- Pain and induration at the injection site
- Abnormal results in liver function tests have occurred
- Liver impairment
- Renal disfunction
- vertigo (a sensation of feeling off-balance)
- Urticaria and maculopapular skin rashes
- Hearing loss
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Caution should be exercised in administering antibiotics, including Capreomycin, to any patient who has demonstrated some form of allergy, particularly to drugs. Do not take Capreomycin if you have severe kidney disease. Capreomycin may cause vertigo (a sensation of feeling off-balance), so drive with caution if you experience these signs. You are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Capreomycin to avoid unpleasant side effects. Consult your doctor before taking Capreomycin if you are pregnant. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies on pregnant women. A Capreomycin should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the fetus's potential risk. Caution should be exercised when Capreomycin is administered to a nursing woman. Capreomycin can’t use in children as there is no Safety and effectiveness in paediatric patients have not been established. STOP the medication and inform your doctor immediately if you experience/notice any urticaria and maculopapular skin rashes.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Using Capreomycin together with amphotericin B liposomal can increase the risk of kidney and inner ear damage, and co-administration of intravenous immune globulin preparations with nephrotoxic agents may potentiate the risk of renal impairment.
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid alcohol consumption to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Brief your doctor if you have a medical history of allergic reactions to medicines and kidney/liver diseases, pre-existing auditory impairment, hypokalemia, and hypocalcemia before taking Capreomycin.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Capreomycin to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionIt is unknown whether Capreomycin can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproductive capacity. Capreomycin should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. Please consult your doctor. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing them.
Breast Feeding
cautionInform your doctor if you are a nursing mother before taking Capreomycin; your doctor will decide whether Capreomycin can be taken by breastfeeding mothers.
Driving
unsafeCapreomycin may cause vertigo (a sensation of feeling off-balance). Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience these symptoms.
Liver
cautionLimited information on using Capreomycin in patients with liver diseases/conditions is available. Please consult your doctor. Regular monitoring of liver function tests may be advised in patients with liver disease.
Kidney
cautionCapreomycin to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor. Please consult your doctor.
Children
unsafeCapreomycin can’t use in children as there is no safety and effectiveness in paediatric patients have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to maintain proper weight.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Include leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, fatty fish, berries, yoghurt, apples, peaches, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, beans, and herbs.
- Avoid fast, fried, processed meats, refined carbs, and added sugars.
- Get optimal sleep; rest well.
Special Advise
- Regularly monitor your blood tests to monitor your liver function, electrolyte levels, and blood cell count in your blood.
- Capreomycin should be taken under strict medical supervision. The doctor will regularly monitor your condition while taking Capreomycin.
- Consult a doctor immediately if you notice any signs of infection, fever, urticaria, maculopapular skin rashes, etc.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Tuberculosis (TB): Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that affects the lungs, but it can also spread to other body parts such as kidneys, brain, spine and bone marrow. Tuberculosis is caused by a bacteria named Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is a contagious disease that can spread to others through small droplets released into the air by a person suffering from tuberculosis. Symptoms include a cough that lasts for a few weeks, pain while coughing or normal breathing, unexplained fatigue, fever, night sweats, and loss of appetite and weight. People who smoke or consume alcohol, people diagnosed with HIV, and immune system problems are more likely at risk of developing active TB.
FAQs
Capreomycin is an antibiotic. It stops bacterial growth by preventing the synthesis of essential proteins required by bacteria to carry out vital functions.
Do not stop taking Capreomycin despite symptomatic relief. Treat your condition effectually. Continue taking Capreomycin for as long as it has been prescribed.
Drug-resistant TB means bacteria become resistant to the drugs used to treat TB. This means that the drug can no longer kill the TB bacteria.
Capreomycin belongs to a class of drugs known as aminoglycoside antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection that usually attacks your lungs. It can also spread to other parts of your body, like your brain and spine. A type of bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes it.
