GENERIC NAME: QUINUPRISTIN/DALFOPRISTIN - INJECTION (KWIN-

ue-PRIS-tin/DAL-foe-PRIS-tin)

BRAND NAME(S): Synercid

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

USES: This medication is a combination of 2 antibiotics. It is used to treat certain serious bacterial
infections that have not responded to treatment with other antibiotics (resistant infections). This
medication belongs to the class of antibiotics called streptogramins. Quinupristin/dalfopristin works by
stopping the growth of bacteria.

HOW TO USE: This medication is given by injection into a vein as directed by your doctor, usually 2 to 3
times daily. It should be injected slowly over 1 hour. The dosage is based on your medical condition, body
weight, and response to treatment.If you are giving this medication to yourself at home, learn all
preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional. Before using, check this product
visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Learn how to store and
discard medical supplies safely.Antibiotics work best when the amount of the medicine in your body is
kept at a constant level. Therefore, use this drug at evenly spaced intervals.Continue to use this
medication for the full time prescribed, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the
medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow, which may result in a return of the
infection.Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache may occur. If any of these effects persist or
worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this
medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor right away if you
develop redness/swelling/pain/warming of the skin at the injection site. Flushing the IV line after each
dose of this medication with dextrose 5 percent in water solution as directed will reduce the risk of vein
irritation.Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: joint/muscle pain,
yellowing eyes/skin, blood in the urine.Get medical help right away if you experience this rare but very
serious side effect: chest pain.This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition (Clostridium
difficile-associated diarrhea) due to a type of resistant bacteria. This condition may occur during
treatment or weeks to months after treatment has stopped. Do not use anti-diarrhea products
or narcotic pain medications if you have any of the following symptoms because these products may
make them worse. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop: persistent diarrhea, abdominal
or stomach pain/cramping, blood/mucus in your stool.Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated
periods may result in oral thrush or a new vaginal yeast infection. Contact your doctor if you notice white
patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge, or other new symptoms.A very serious allergic
reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat),
severe dizziness, trouble breathing.This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other
effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice
about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.In Canada - Call your doctor
for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

PRECAUTIONS: Before using quinupristin/dalfopristin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to
it; or to other streptogramin antibiotics (e.g., pristinamycin, virginiamycin); or if you have any
other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other
problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver problems, high levels of bilirubin in the blood
(hyperbilirubinemia).During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed.
Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: See also How to Use.Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug
interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and
herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage
of any medicines without your doctor's approval.Some products that may interact with this drug
include: digoxin.This drug can slow down the removal of certain medications from your body by affecting
certain liver enzymes. These affected drugs include those that may affect the heart rhythm (QTc
prolongation in the EKG), infrequently resulting in serious (rarely fatal) irregular heartbeat.
Quinupristin/dalfopristin should not be used with the following medications because very serious
interactions may occur: certain antiarrhythmic drugs
(e.g., amiodarone, disopyramide, quinidine), cisapride, certain macrolide antibiotics
(e.g., erythromycin, clarithromycin), certain antipsychotics (e.g., haloperidol, pimozide).If you are
currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting
quinupristin/dalfopristin.This drug can also slow down the removal of other drugs from your body by
affecting certain liver enzymes. Before taking quinupristin/dalfopristin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if
you are taking any of the following medications: certain drugs to suppress the immune
system (e.g., cyclosporine, sirolimus, tacrolimus), certain drugs to
treat HIV (e.g., delavirdine, indinavir, nevirapine, ritonavir), certain anti-cancer drugs (e.g., docetaxel,
paclitaxel, vinblastine, vincristine), calcium channel blockers(e.g., diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil),
certain "statin" drugs to lower cholesterol (e.g., atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin),
certain benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam,
midazolam), carbamazepine, corticosteroids (e.g., methylprednisolone), drugs to treat erectile
dysfunction-EDor pulmonary hypertension (e.g., sildenafil, tadalafil).Although most antibiotics probably
do not affect hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring, some antibiotics may decrease their
effectiveness. This could cause pregnancy. Examples include rifamycins such as rifampin or rifabutin. Be
sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist if you should use additional reliable birth control methods while
using this antibiotic

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.
US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a
provincial poison control center.

NOTES: Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., liver function tests) should be performed periodically to
monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

MISSED DOSE: For the best possible benefit, it is important to receive each scheduled dose of this
medication as directed. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately to establish
a new dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Consult the product instructions and your pharmacist for storage details. Keep all
medications away from children and pets.Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a
drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed.
Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.