Sparfloxacin (By mouth)

Sparfloxacin (spar-FLOX-a-sin)

Treats pneumonia and bronchitis caused by bacteria infections in adults. This medicine is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Sparfloxacin is no longer available in the United States.

Brand Name(s):

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to sparfloxacin (Zagam®). You should not use this medicine if you have a heart condition known as QTc prolongation, or if you are using heart medicine that may affect your heart beat. These medicines include amiodarone, disopyramide, quinidine, Cardioquin®, Cordarone®, Norpace®, Pacerone®, Quinaglute®, and Quinidex®. They also include procainamide, sotalol, Betapace®, Procan-SR®, and Pronestyl®. Do not take sparfloxacin if you cannot stay away from sunlight while taking the medicine. Do not take sparfloxacin if you cannot stay away from the sunlight for 5 days after you have taken all your doses.

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
Drink extra fluids so you will urinate more often and help prevent kidney problems.
Take all of the medicine in your prescription to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

If a dose is missed:

Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

You should not take certain antacids medicines before or at the same time you take sparfloxacin. Examples of antacids include aluminum carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, milk of magnesia, Basagel®, Gaviscon®, Maalox®, Mylanta®, and Rolaids®. If you need to use an antacid, take it 4 hours after you take your sparfloxacin dose.
You should not take sucralfate (Carafate®) before or at the same time you take sparfloxacin. If you need to take sucralfate, take it 4 hours after you take your sparfloxacin dose.
You should not take didanosine (Videx®) before or at the same time you take sparfloxacin. If you need to take didanosine, take it 4 hours after you take your sparfloxacin dose.
You should not take vitamins or supplements that contain iron, zinc, or calcium before or at the same time you take sparfloxacin. If you need to take a vitamin or supplement, take it 4 hours after you take your sparfloxacin dose.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Make sure your doctor knows if you have seizures, or if you have a condition that makes you more likely to have seizures, such as epilepsy. Make sure your doctor knows if you have kidney problems, or if you have heart problems.
You could get a serious sunburn while using this medicine, even while wearing sunscreen. Carefully follow all instructions from your doctor.
Stay out of the sunlight for the entire time you are taking this medicine. This includes avoiding sunlight that comes in through a window and from sunlamps or tanning beds. Also be aware that even when the sky is cloudy, the UV light can reach your skin. If you must be in the sun, wear clothing that covers all of your skin. This includes sunglasses, a hat, and gloves. Stay out of the sunlight for at least 5 days after you are done taking all your doses of this medicine.
Your skin might turn red while you are using this medicine. If your skin turns very red, or starts to blister, peel, or itch, call your doctor.
You may start to have pain in your tendons while you are using this medicine. Examples of places where your tendons may be painful include your ankle or heel, your shoulder, or your hand. If your tendons become painful, do not exercise, and call your doctor.
This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine.
This medicine may make you dizzy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
Make sure any doctor who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Extreme sadness, or thoughts of killing yourself.
Red, blistering, itchy skin, or skin rash.
Severe diarrhea that may contain blood.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Changed sense of taste.
Feeling nervous, jumpy, uptight, confused, or unusually worried or sad.
Fever.
Pain in your tendons.
Headache, lightheadedness, or dizziness.
Nausea, stomach pain, gassiness, upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Seeing things that are not there.
Seizures, or shaky hands.
Sleeplessness or nightmares.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017