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ANTIINFECTIVES FOR SYSTEMIC USE › ANTIBACTERIALS FOR SYSTEMIC USE › QUINOLONE ANTIBACTERIALS › Fluoroquinolones
sparfloxacin
J01MA09
Adult Dosing
- Community-acquired pneumonia: 400 mg loading dose on Day 1, then 200 mg once daily for 10 days (total 11 days therapy)
- Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis: 400 mg loading dose on Day 1, then 200 mg once daily for 9 days (total 10 days therapy)
Pediatric Dosing
- Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients below the age of 18 years have not been established (contraindicated due to risk of arthropathy and cartilage damage)
Indications
- Treatment of community-acquired pneumonia caused by susceptible strains
- Treatment of acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis caused by susceptible strains
Mechanism of Action
- Fluoroquinolone antibiotic inhibiting bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, preventing DNA replication, transcription, repair, and recombination
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to sparfloxacin or other quinolones
- History of QT prolongation or known prolongation of the QTc interval
- Concurrent administration of other drugs known to prolong the QTc interval
- History of tendinitis or tendon rupture associated with fluoroquinolone use
- Pediatric patients under 18 years of age
Adverse Reactions
- Prolonged QT interval (high risk of torsades de pointes)
- Phototoxicity (severe cutaneous reactions to sunlight or UV light)
- Diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain
- Headache, dizziness, insomnia
- Tendinitis and tendon rupture
- Elevated liver enzymes
Drug Interactions
- Antiarrhythmics (Class IA and Class III) - increased risk of QT prolongation and torsades de pointes
- Coadministration with macrolides, antipsychotics, and tricyclic antidepressants increases risk of ventricular arrhythmias
- Antacids containing magnesium, aluminum, or calcium, as well as sucralfate, iron, and zinc reduce absorption
- Warfarin - may increase anticoagulant effect
Curated Content: Needs Vetting Before Put to Clinical Use