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What is sparfloxacin?

Sparfloxacin has been withdrawn from the U.S. market.

Sparfloxacin is an antibiotic in a class of drugs called fluoroquinolones. It fights bacteria in the body.

Sparfloxacin is used to treat various types of bacterial infections.

Sparfloxacin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about sparfloxacin?

Sparfloxacin has been withdrawn from the U.S. market.

Take all of the sparfloxacin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated. Take sparfloxacin with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Drink several extra glasses of fluid each day to prevent sparfloxacin crystals from forming in the urine. Do not take antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (e.g., Tums or Rolaids), the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc for a minimum of 4 hours after a dose of sparfloxacin. Taking antacids, sucralfate, or vitamin or mineral supplements too close to a dose of sparfloxacin can greatly decrease the effects of the antibiotic.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking sparfloxacin?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
kidney disease;
any kind of heart disease or heart problem; or

seizures or epilepsy.

You may not be able to take sparfloxacin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Sparfloxacin is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether sparfloxacin will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Sparfloxacin passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. It may affect bone development. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Sparfloxacin is not approved for use by children younger than 12 years of age. Sparfloxacin may interfere with bone development.

How should I take sparfloxacin?

Take sparfloxacin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Drink several extra glasses of fluid each day to prevent the formation of sparfloxacin crystals in your urine.

Sparfloxacin may be taken with or without food.

Take sparfloxacin at evenly spaced intervals. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

Do not take antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (e.g., Tums or Rolaids), the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc for a minimum of 4 hours after a dose of sparfloxacin. Taking antacids, sucralfate, or vitamin or mineral supplements too close to a dose of sparfloxacin can greatly decrease the effects of the antibiotic. Take all of the sparfloxacin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated. Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

The most common symptom of a sparfloxacin overdose is irregular or slow heartbeats.

What should I avoid while taking sparfloxacin?

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Sparfloxacin increases the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight, and a severe sunburn may result. If sun exposure is unavoidable, wear protective clothing and sunscreen. Call your doctor if you experience severe burning, redness, itching, rash, or swelling after exposure to the sun. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Sparfloxacin may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.

Sparfloxacin side effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking sparfloxacin and seek emergency medical attention:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
irregular heartbeats;
chest pain, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or swelling of your legs or feet;
severe dizziness;
seizures;
confusion or hallucinations;
liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue); or

muscle or joint pain.

If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue taking sparfloxacin and talk to your doctor:

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation;
headache, lightheadedness, or drowsiness;
ringing in the ears; or

increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect sparfloxacin?

Do not take antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (e.g., Tums or Rolaids), the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc for a minimum of 4 hours after a dose of sparfloxacin. Taking antacids, sucralfate, or vitamin or mineral supplements too close to a dose of sparfloxacin can greatly decrease the effects of the antibiotic. Do not take sparfloxacin without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

the heart medicines amiodarone (Cordarone), disopyramide (Norpace), quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute, others), procainamide (Procan SR, Pronestyl), sotalol (Betapace), and bepridil (Vascor);
terfenadine (Seldane, Seldane-D) or astemizole (Hismanal);
a tricyclic antidepressant including amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), amoxapine (Asendin), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), doxepin (Sinequan), and others;
a phenothiazine including chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), perphenazine (Trilafon), mesoridazine (Serentil), thioridazine (Mellaril), and others;
erythromycin (E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, E.E.S., others); or

cisapride (Propulsid).

Sparfloxacin and the drugs listed above may affect the rhythm of your heartbeats. You may not be able to take sparfloxacin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with sparfloxacin. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.