Cubicin

This medication is an antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections. It will not work for viral infections (such as common cold, flu). Unnecessary use or misuse of any antibiotic can lead to its decreased effectiveness. This drug should not be used to treat pneumonia. If used to treat pneumonia, you may experience severe side effects (especially heart and breathing problems). Consult your doctor for more details.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

This medication is given by vein, usually once daily. If you have severe kidney disease or are on kidney dialysis, you should only receive this medication every other day (i.e., every 48 hours). Usually this drug is used for two weeks; or use as directed by your doctor. Follow all instructions for proper mixing and dilution with the correct IV fluids. If you have any questions about the mixing or use of this medication, ask your pharmacist. Before using, check this product visually for particles. If present, do not use the liquid. Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals. Continue to take this medication until the full-prescribed amount is finished 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 relapse of the infection. Inform your doctor if your condition does not improve in one week (such as having a new or worsening fever). Learn how to store and discard needles and medical supplies safely. Consult your pharmacist.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: aminoglycosides (e.g., tobramycin), "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), "statin" drugs for cholesterol (e.g., simvastatin, lovastatin), live bacterial vaccines. This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including blood clotting tests such as PT and INR), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not share this medication with others. This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another infection unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in those cases. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., CPK levels) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Additional lab tests (kidney function) should be performed, especially if you have kidney disease. Consult your doctor for more details.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; 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. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: severe diarrhea (Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea). Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease or kidney dialysis, muscle problems (e.g., myopathy). This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. 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.

Refrigerate between 36 and 46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C). This medication must be used immediately after mixing. The mixed drug may be stored for up to 12 hours at room temperature or 48 hours in the refrigerator. If not used within this time, throw out the medicine and mix a brand new dose. Keep all medicines 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 for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, trouble sleeping, anxiety, or pain/redness/swelling at the injection site may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify 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 immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: muscle pain/cramps/weakness, numbness or tingling of hands or feet, unusual tiredness or weakness, change in amount of urine, chest pain, swelling, shakiness, sweating, increased thirst, blurred vision. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: unusual bleeding or bruising, irregular heartbeat, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, cough, difficult/painful breathing, new/unexplained fever. 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 (oral or vaginal fungal infection). Contact your doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge or other new symptoms. A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching/severe 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.