CAPREOMYCIN

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Capastat

GENERIC NAME(S): CAPREOMYCIN SULFATE

Description: Capreomycin, a cyclic polypeptide antimicrobial, stops the growth of Mycobacteria. It is the second line of drugs used agaisnt TB.

Uses

This antibiotic with other medications treats tuberculosis (TB) infections that is believed to work by preventing the growth of the bacteria that causes TB.

How to use capreomycin injection

This medication is given by injection into a muscle or infused into a vein over 1 hour, usually by a health care professional. It is usually given once a day for 2 to 4 months then reduced to 2 or 3 times a week depending on your condition and response to treatment, or use as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition, kidney function, and response to treatment.

If you are using this medication at home, learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional. If you have any questions about using this medication properly, ask your health care professional. Before using this product, check it visually for particles. When mixed, this medication may be nearly colorless or very pale yellow. The color may darken over time, but this does not make this medication less effective. If the liquid has particles or has changed to any other color than pale or dark yellow, do not use it.

If you are giving this medication by injection into a muscle, remember to change the injection site with each dose to prevent irritation. Also, inject this medication into a large muscle such as the buttock or thigh to lessen pain from the injection.

Continue to use this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear. Stopping the medication too early may result in a return of the infection. It may be necessary to continue treatment for TB for 1 to 2 years. If needed, your doctor may switch you to a drug for this same condition that can be taken by mouth.

This medication works best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, use this drug at evenly spaced intervals. To help you remember, use it on the same day(s) of the week or at the same time each day, depending on your doctor’s instructions. If you are using this medication several times a week, it may help to mark your calendar with a reminder.

Do not use more or less of this drug than prescribed or stop using it (or other TB medicines) even for a short time unless directed to do so by your doctor. Skipping or changing your dose without approval from your doctor may cause the amount of TB bacteria to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (resistant), or worsen side effects. If TB becomes resistant to this medication, it might also become resistant to other TB medications.

Learn how to store and discard needles, medical supplies, and any unused medication safely. Never reuse needles or syringes.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Warnings

Use capreomycin with extreme caution in people with hearing or kidney problems and in those using other drugs that may cause hearing or kidney problems.

Other injectable medications used to treat tuberculosis (e.g., streptomycin) should not be used with capreomycin because they will increase the risk of hearing and kidney problems.

Side Effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly if any of these effects persist or worsen pain, irritation, or skin hardening at the injection site.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:

change in the amount of urine
ringing in the ears
trouble hearing
dizziness

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur:

muscle weakness/cramps
irregular heartbeat
easy bleeding/bruising

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Precautions

Allergic reaction to this medication.
Patients with medical history of:
- kidney disease
- hearing trouble
- dehydration
- liver disease
- a certain muscle disease (myasthenia gravis)
- Parkinson’s disease

Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely.
Elderly people may be at a greater risk for side effects while using this drug.
Used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Consult your doctor regarding the precautions mentioned above.

Interactions

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of:

drugs that may harm either the kidneys or hearing (e.g.,amphotericin B, colistin, cidofovir, polymyxin,vancomycin, aminoglycosides such as amikacin/gentamicin/kanamycin/tobramycin)
certain anesthetics
live bacterial vaccines

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.

Overdose & Brands

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Notes: Do not share this medication with others.

If your doctor tells you that you are contagious, then you must avoid contact with others to prevent the spread of your TB infection.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., TB cultures, kidney function, hearing tests,liver function, chest X-rays, potassium blood levels) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose: It is important to use each dose as scheduled. 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. If you miss more than one dose, contact your health care professional to establish a new dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage: Store unopened vials at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and heat. Once mixed the medication is good for 24 hours if refrigerated between 36-46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C). Discard the mixed medication if it is not used within this time. 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.