Uses
Lefamulin is used to treat community-acquired pneumonia (a lung infection that developed in a person who was not in the hospital) caused by certain types of bacteria. Lefamulin is in a class of medications called pleuromutilin antibiotics. It works by slowing the growth or killing bacteria that cause infections.
Antibiotics such as lefamulin will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
Side Effects Of Lefamulin
Lefamulin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- diarrhea
- nausea
- vomiting
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms call your doctor immediately:
- severe diarrhea (watery or bloody stools) that may occur with or without fever and stomach cramps (may occur up to 2 months or more after your treatment)
- Lefamulin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking lefamulin:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to lefamulin, retapamulin (Altabax), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in lefamulin tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor if you are taking pimozide (Orap). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take lefamulin if you are taking this medication.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: alprazolam (Xanax); antipsychotic medications (medications to treat mental illness); amiodarone (Nexterone, Pacerone); diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac, others); erythromycin (E.E.S., Eryc, Erythrocin); ketoconazole; moxifloxacin (Avelox); procainamide,quinidine (in Nuedexta); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, Rifater); simvastatin (Flolopid, Zocor, in Vytorin); sotalol (Betapace, Sorine); tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline, or trimipramine (Surmontil); vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn); and verapamil (Calan, Verelan, in Tarka). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with lefamulin, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had prolonged QT interval (a rare heart problem that may cause irregular heartbeat, fainting, or sudden death), other types of irregular heartbeat, or liver disease. Also, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease and are receiving dialysis treatments.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. You will need to have a negative pregnancy test before beginning treatment with lefamulin. Use birth control during your treatment and for 2 days after your final dose. If you become pregnant while taking lefamulin, call your doctor immediately.
- tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Your doctor may tell you not to breastfeed during your treatment, and for 2 days after your final dose.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking lefamulin.
Lefamulin Dosage
Lefamulin comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken every 12 hours on an empty stomach (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal) for 5 days or for the remaining days of treatment after receiving this medication intravenously (into a vein). Take lefamulin at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take lefamulin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Swallow the tablets whole with a glass (6 to 8 oz) of water; do not split, chew, or crush them.
You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with lefamulin. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.
Take lefamulin until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop taking lefamulin too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
