how does this medication work? what will it do for me?
fidaxomicin belongs to the group of medications known as antibiotics. it is used to treat infections of the colon (large intestine) caused by the bacteria clostridium difficile.
this medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. as well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. if you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. it can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
what form(s) does this medication come in?
200 mg
each white-to-off-white, film-coated, oblong tablet, debossed with "fdx" on one side and "200" on the other, contains 200 mg of fidaxomicin. nonmedicinal ingredients: core tablets: microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinised starch, hydroxypropyl cellulose, butylated hydroxytoluene, magnesium stearate, sodium starch glycolate; coating: polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, talc, polyethylene glycol, lecithin (soy).
how should i use this medication?
the recommended dose of fidaxomicin is 200 mg taken every 12 hours for 10 days. fidaxomicin may be taken with or without food.
many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. if your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
it is important that this medication be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. fidaxomicin must be taken for the recommended duration of treatment, even if you are feeling better. this will reduce the chances of having any remaining bacteria grow back, which could cause another infection that could be harder to treat.
if you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. if you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
store this medication at room temperature, protect it from direct light and heat, and keep it out of the reach of children.
do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
who should not take this medication?
do not take this medication if you are allergic to fidaxomicin or any ingredients of the medication.
what side effects are possible with this medication?
many medications can cause side effects. a side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
the side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. if you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
the following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- bloated feeling
- constipation
- decreased appetite
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- gas
- headache
- nausea
- taste changes
- vomiting
although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.
stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- signs of a severe allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
some people may experience side effects other than those listed. check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. these factors may affect how you should use this medication.
allergy: some people who experienced an allergic reaction to fidaxomicin also reported a history of allergy to macrolide antibiotics (e.g., azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin). if you are allergic to macrolide antibiotics, inform your physician before taking fidaxomicin. contact your doctor immediately if you experience signs of an allergic reaction, such as skin rash, itching, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face and throat.
intestinal problems: the safety of fidaxomicin has not been established for people with inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis). talk to your doctor if you have inflammatory bowel disease because it may increase the risk of side effects.
kidney disease: if you have severe kidney disease or if your kidney function is severely reduced, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
liver disease: if you have severe liver disease or if your liver function is severely reduced, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
pregnancy: the safety of using fidaxomicin during pregnancy has not been established. this medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. if you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
breast-feeding: it is not known if fidaxomicin passes into breast milk. if you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
children: the safety and effectiveness of using fidaxomicin has not been established for children younger than 18 years of age.
what other drugs could interact with this medication?
there may be an interaction between fidaxomicin and any of the following:
- cholera vaccine
- cyclosporine
- immune checkpoint inhibitors (atezolizumab, durvalumab, ipilimumab)
- sodium picosulfate
- typhoid vaccine
if you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
an interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. also tell them about any supplements you take. since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
all material copyright mediresource inc. 1996 – 2023. terms and conditions of use. the contents herein are for informational purposes only. always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/dificid