Sparfloxacin
About
Sparfloxacin belongs to a class of drugs known as 'antibiotics', primarily used to treat or prevent certain infections caused by bacteria. It is used to treat nose, throat, urinary tract infections, lungs (pneumonia), skin, and soft tissues. A bacterial infection is a condition in which bacteria grow in the body and cause infection. It can target any body part and multiple very quickly.
Sparfloxacin contains an antibiotic medicine, Sparfloxacin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. It works by killing bacteria (bactericidal) that cause infections and prevents the division of bacterial cells. It also inhibits the repairing of bacterial cells. Altogether, it kills the bacteria and treats the infection.
Take Sparfloxacin as prescribed by your doctor. Depending upon your medical condition, you are advised to take Sparfloxacin for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Sometimes, you may experience headaches, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, bitter taste, diarrhoea, dizziness, and stomach pain. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor. You should immediately contact a doctor if you experience any allergic reaction symptoms such as rashes, itching, swelling, shortness of breath, etc.
Do not take Sparfloxacin if you are allergic or have had a severe reaction to Sparfloxacin. Taking Sparfloxacin may increase the chances of developing tendinitis or having a tendon rupture. Taking Sparfloxacin may worsen muscle weakness in people with myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness disorder) and cause severe difficulty breathing or death. And also, exposure to sunlight should be avoided while taking Sparfloxacin as it may cause increased phototoxicity or photosensitivity.
Uses of Sparfloxacin
Medicinal Benefits
Sparfloxacin belongs to a class of drugs known as 'antibiotics', containing Sparfloxacin, primarily used to treat or prevent certain infections caused by bacteria. It is used to treat infections of the nose, throat, urinary tract, lungs (pneumonia), skin, and soft tissues. It works by killing bacteria (bactericidal) that cause infections and prevents the division of bacterial cells. It also inhibits the repairing of bacterial cells. Altogether, it kills the bacteria and treats the infection.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Sparfloxacin
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Bitter taste
- Dizziness
- Indigestion
- Stomach pain
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Sparfloxacin if you are allergic or have had a severe reaction to Sparfloxacin. Taking Sparfloxacin may increase the chances of developing tendinitis (swelling of a fibrous tissue that connects a bone to a muscle) or having a tendon rupture (tearing of a fibrous tissue that connects a bone to a muscle). Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had a kidney or liver disease, heart, or lung transplant, rheumatoid arthritis, seizures (fits), epilepsy or if you participate in regular physical activity. Taking Sparfloxacin may worsen muscle weakness in people with myasthenia gravis (a nervous system disorder that causes muscle weakness) and cause severe difficulty breathing or death. And also, exposure to sunlight should be avoided while taking Sparfloxacin as it may cause increased phototoxicity or photosensitivity. Patients with epilepsy and irregular heartbeat (especially a condition known as QT prolongation) should tell their doctor before taking Sparfloxacin. Increase the intake of fluids to ensure proper hydration while taking Sparfloxacin.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Disease Interactions: Sparfloxacin is known to interact in patients with kidney or liver disease, heart or lung transplant, seizures, epilepsy, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, myasthenia gravis (a muscle disorder), low level of potassium or magnesium in the blood.
Drug-Food Interactions: Sparfloxacin interacts with alcohol and antacid (containing aluminium and magnesium).
Drug-drug interactions: Sparfloxacin is known to interact with heart medicines (amiodarone, disopyramide, quinidine, procainamide, sotalol, bepridil), antidepressants (amitriptyline, amoxapine, imipramine, nortriptyline, doxepin), antipsychotic drugs (chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, perphenazine, mesoridazine, thioridazine), antibiotics (erythromycin).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAlcohol is not known to cause any unpleasant side effects if taken along with Sparfloxacin. But intake of alcohol with Sparfloxacin may damage your liver. So intake of Sparfloxacin should be avoided with Sparfloxacin.
Pregnancy
cautionSparfloxacin is a pregnancy Category C medicine. It is not known whether Sparfloxacin will affect pregnant women or fetus or not. Hence, intake of Sparfloxacin should be avoided unless prescribed by a doctor.
Breast Feeding
cautionSparfloxacin can pass through the breast milk. But the amount of Sparfloxacin absorbed by the nursing infant is unknown. So, it should be taken only when prescribed by a doctor.
Driving
unsafeSparfloxacin is known to cause dizziness and drowsiness. It can affect alertness and coordination. So, operating machinery which requires concentration should be avoided.
Liver
cautionSparfloxacin to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionSparfloxacin 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.
Children
cautionThe safety and efficacy of Sparfloxacin are not studied in children below the age of 18 years.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Do not drink or eat a lot of caffeine-containing products such as coffee, tea, energy drinks, cola or chocolate. Sparfloxacin may increase nervousness, sleeplessness and anxiety caused by caffeine.
- Probiotics should be taken after taking the full course of Sparfloxacin to restore some healthy bacteria in the intestines that may have been killed. Taking probiotics after antibiotic treatment can reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Certain fermented foods like yoghurt, cheese, sauerkraut, kombucha and kimchi can help restore the intestine's good bacteria.
- Include more fibre-enriched food in your diet, as it can be easily digested by gut bacteria, which helps stimulate their growth. Thus, fibre-rich foods may help restore healthy gut bacteria after a course of antibiotics. Whole grains like whole-grain bread and brown rice should be included in your diet. Make sure you drink plenty of water or other fluids daily while taking Sparfloxacin.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages with Sparfloxacin as they can make you dehydrated and may affect your sleep. This can make it harder for your body to aid the Sparfloxacin in fighting off infections.
Special Advise
- Regularly monitor your liver enzymes while taking Sparfloxacin.
- If taking an antacid containing aluminum and magnesium maintain a gap of 2-3 hours after taking Sparfloxacin.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial Infection: A bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria enter, multiply and infect our body. It can target any body part and multiple very quickly. When you get infected with bacteria, you can experience generalized symptoms like fevers, chills and fatigue. Bacteria are of various forms comprising, commonly spherical, rod and spiral-shaped. Bacterial infections vary from minor illnesses like sore throat and ear infections to severe brain infections like meningitis and encephalitis. A few harmful bacteria that cause infections include Streptococcus, Staphylococcus and E. coli. Anyone can become infected with a bacterial infection. But, people with weak immune systems or taking immunosuppressive medicine can make you more prone to bacterial infection.
FAQs
Sparfloxacin belongs to a class of drugs known as 'antibiotics', containing Sparfloxacin, which works by killing bacteria (bactericidal) that cause infections and prevent bacterial cell division. It also inhibits the repairing of bacterial cells. Altogether, it kills the bacteria and treats the infection.
Sparfloxacin makes your skin sensitive to sunlight, known as photosensitivity. So, prolonged exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light should be avoided. In case of emergency, you should always wear sunscreen before going out.
A common side effect of Sparfloxacin is diarrhoea, but you should complete your course. If diarrhoea persists and you observe blood in your stools, please visit your doctor.
No, a minimum gap of 2-3 hours should be maintained between the dose of Sparfloxacin and the antacid, as an antacid is known to decrease the absorption and effectiveness of Sparfloxacin. Especially the antacid containing aluminium and magnesium.
Yes, using Sparfloxacin increases the risk of muscle damage, commonly in the ankle. It can happen to people of all ages. Please inform your doctor before taking Sparfloxacin if you have any muscle pain.
Sparfloxacin is known to increase the risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture in all ages. But, the elderly are at increased risk of getting it. So, only take Sparfloxacin if prescribed by a doctor in exact dose and duration.
