Quinupristin and Dalfopristin, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Generic and brand names: quinupristin and dalfopristin, injection; Synercid

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is an antibiotic that is given by injection (shots) to treat serious infections, including some skin infections. It is used when vancomycin, another antibiotic for serious infections, has not worked. This medicine may be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How do I use it?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) over a period of 60 minutes every 8 to 12 hours.

Usually your health care provider will give you these infusions while you are in a hospital and your condition is being monitored. Sometimes you may have these infusions at home. Discuss this with your health care provider.

What should I watch out for?

After you receive this medicine, you will be given another IV containing a small amount of sterile fluid to flush out all the medicine and help reduce irritation of your vein.

While you are receiving this medicine, you may develop diarrhea. Tell your health care provider if it becomes severe so you can get treatment for it.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Common: inflammation, pain, or swelling at the site of the IV; nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting; rash; headache; itching; pain in your joints or muscles; general pain.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• anti-cancer medicines such as vinblastine (Velban), vincristine (Oncovin, Vincasar PFS), vinorelbine (Navelbine), docetaxel (Taxotere), and paclitaxel (Taxol)
• benzodiazepines such as midazolam (Versed) and diazepam (Valium)
• calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine (Procardia, Procardia XL, Adalat, Adalat CC), diltiazem (Cardizem, Cardizem SR, Cardizem CD, Dilacor XR, Tiazac), and verapamil (Calan, Calan SR, Isoptin, Isoptin SR, Covera-HS, Verelan)
• carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• cholesterol-lowering medicines such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), and simvastatin (Zocor)
• cisapride (Propulsid)
• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
• disopyramide (Norpace, Norpace CR)
• lidocaine
• protease inhibitors such as ritonavir (Norvir) and indinavir (Crixivan)
• quinidine
• tacrolimus (Prograf).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.