Sparfloxacin
Description
Sparfloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used for the treatment of bacterial infections affecting different parts of the body. Sparfloxacin is available on prescription as tablets and eye drops. Tablets are used to treat lung infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis caused by a large number of bacteria. Eye drops are used to treat conjunctivitis or pink eye caused by bacteria. It kills or prevents the growth of bacteria in the body. It is not effective against infections caused by viruses.
Common side effects of Sparfloxacin are diarrhoea, stomach pain, headache, weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Sparfloxacin can cause muscle damage, usually in the ankle. It should only be used to treat or prevent infections that are caused by bacteria.
Once an antibiotic is started, it is always recommended to finish the entire course of treatment. For the best results, take this antibiotic at evenly spaced times. You can take Sparfloxacin tablet with or without food. For the ease of remembering, take/use Sparfloxacin around the same time every day.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Sparfloxacin
- Sensitivity to sunlight
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach pain
- Skin rash
- Excessive gas in stomach
- Constipation
- Joint pain
- Mouth ulcers
Uses of Sparfloxacin
What is it prescribed for?
- Bronchitis
- Lung infections
- Bacterial infections
- Bacterial conjunctivitis
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionYou will start to feel better in 2 to 3 days after taking/using sparfloxacin. But finish your entire course of treatment, even if the condition gets better.
- Duration of effectThe effect of sparfloxacin lasts for about 12 to 24 hours and then you may have to take your next dose as directed by your doctor/pharmacist.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Sparfloxacin.
- Usage in pregnancy?Sparfloxacin should be avoided during pregnancy due to the risk of adverse effects on the baby's developing joints. Sparfloxacin is not known to cause harmful effects on the baby if is taken later in pregnancy. Take this medicine only upon your doctor's recommendation.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Sparfloxacin is not known to be harmful in breastfeeding women. It passes into breast milk in small amounts. Hence it is acceptable for use in nursing mothers upon your doctor's recommendation. The baby should be observed for symptoms such as diarrhoea and yeast infection.
Allergy
Avoid taking/using Sparfloxacin if you are previously allergic to it. Serious allergic reactions to this medicine are rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulties, etc.
Tendinitis or tendon rupture
Sparfloxacin can cause muscle damage especially in old age. Do not use Sparfloxacin if you have tendonitis (swelling of fibres that attach bone with muscles) or tendon rupture (a partial or complete tear of the tendon- the tissue that connects muscle to bone).
Myasthenia gravis
Myasthenia gravis is a skeletal muscle weakness condition characterized by severe weakness of any of the muscles under your voluntary control, including the arms and legs. Sparfloxacin should be avoided in patients with myasthenia gravis since it may get worsen.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Sparfloxacin should be avoided during pregnancy due to the risk of adverse effects on the baby's developing joints. Sparfloxacin is not known to cause harmful effects on the baby if is taken later in pregnancy. Take this medicine only upon your doctor's recommendation.
Breast-feeding
Sparfloxacin is not known to be harmful in breastfeeding women. It passes into breast milk in small amounts. Hence it is acceptable for use in nursing mothers upon your doctor's recommendation. The baby should be observed for symptoms such as diarrhoea and yeast infection.
General warnings
Muscle damage
Sparfloxacin can cause muscle damage usually on the tendons that surround the ankle. Inform your doctor if you feel pain, numbness, or tingling sensations in your muscles.
Antibiotic resistance
Finish your entire course of treatment with Sparfloxacin, even if the condition gets better to avoid antibiotic resistance (the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics). If you still feel unwell after completing your antibiotic course, make an appointment to consult your doctor.
Use in children
The safety and effectiveness of Sparfloxacin have not been established in patients less than 18 years of age.
Antacids
If you are taking an antacid containing aluminium and magnesium salts for indigestion, it can increase the time it takes for Sparfloxacin to act on your body. Because of this, it is recommended to take this antibiotic at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking antacids.
Multivitamins with minerals
Avoid using Sparfloxacin along with multivitamins with minerals. If needed it is suggested to use before 2 to 4 hours of taking multivitamins with minerals or after 4 to 6 hours of taking multivitamins with minerals.
Driving or operating machinery
Sparfloxacin may cause dizziness or sleepiness and interfere with eyesight. Hence do not drive a vehicle or operate machinery after taking this medicine.
Missed Dose
Try not to skip a dose of sparfloxacin. And if a dose is skipped, do not add it up to the next dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical attention in case of an overdose with sparfloxacin.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Escitalopram
Ethinyl Estradiol
Corticosteroids
Quinidine
Aspirin
Metformin
Disease interactions
Central nervous system disorders
Use Sparfloxacin with caution in patients with nerve problems, seizures, depression, and psychotic reactions. It can trigger these conditions and inform your doctor immediately if these reactions occur.
Colitis
Use Sparfloxacin with extreme caution in patients with gastrointestinal (mouth to anus) diseases, particularly colitis (swelling of the inner lining of the colon), due to the risk of severe diarrhoea.
QT Prolongation
Sparfloxacin may cause a heart rhythm problem called prolonged QT intervals (an electrical heartbeat disturbance) in some patients who are taking heart medications. It may result in fast, rapid, and irregular heartbeats.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Oral forms: Take sparfloxacin tablet with or without food. Never take more than the prescribed dose. Take sparfloxacin tablet at around the same time daily. Do not give your medicine to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Topical forms: Sparfloxacin eye drops is for external use only. Administer it as directed by the doctor. Do not touch your eyes with unwashed hands. Avoid sharing items like eyeglasses, contact lenses, pillows, towels, clothes, eye or face makeup when you are infected. Use this eye drop at around the same time daily for the ease of remembering. Ensure that the treatment course is completed.
Sparfloxacin indications for treating bacterial infections is safe and effective. Sparfloxacin price may vary based on the brands.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Sparfloxacin stops the action of a bacterial enzyme called DNA-gyrase. This helps to kill or prevent the growth of bacteria in the body.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Quinolones, Fluoroquinolones, Antibiotics
Schedule
Schedule H
Drugbank.ca. 2021. Sparfloxacin | DrugBank Online. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 17 February 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 17 February 2021].
Lubasch, A., Erbes, R., Mauch, H. and Lode, H., 2021. Sparfloxacin in the treatment of drug resistant tuberculosis or intolerance of first line therapy. [online] European Respiratory Society. Available at: < [Accessed 17 February 2021].
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Sparfloxacin. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 25 March 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 5 Apr 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.