Dirithromycin (patient information)

IMPORTANT WARNING
Dirithromycin is no longer available in the United States. If you are currently taking dirithromycin, you should call your doctor to discuss switching to another treatment.

Why this medication is prescribed
Dirithromycin is an antibiotic used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and skin and throat infections. Antibiotics will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How this medication should be used
Dirithromycin comes as an enteric-coated tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day for 7-14 days. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take dirithromycin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

The tablets should be swallowed whole. Do not chew, crush, or cut tablets. Take with a full glass of water.

Continue to take dirithromycin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking dirithromycin without talking to your doctor.

Special precautions
Before taking dirithromycin:


 * tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to dirithromycin, azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin, or any other drugs.
 * tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially other antibiotics; anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); astemizole (Hismanal); carbamazepine (Tegretol); cisapride (Propulsid); clozapine (clozaril); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); digoxin (Lanoxin); disopyramide (Norpace); ergotamine; felodipine (Plendil); lovastatin (Mevacor); phenytoin (Dilantin); pimozide (Orap); stomach medications such as antacids (Mylanta, Maalox), cimetidine (Tagamet), or ranitidine (Zantac); theophylline (Theo-Dur); triazolam (Halcion); and vitamins.
 * tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease, yellowing of the skin or eyes, colitis, or stomach problems.
 * tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking dirithromycin, call your doctor.
 * if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking dirithromycin.

Special dietary instructions
Take dirithromycin with food or within 1 hour of eating.

What to do if you forget a dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Minor side effects
Dirithromycin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:


 * upset stomach
 * diarrhea
 * vomiting
 * stomach cramps
 * mild skin rash
 * stomach pain
 * headache

Severe side effects
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:


 * severe skin rash
 * itching
 * hives
 * difficulty breathing or swallowing
 * wheezing
 * yellowing of the skin or eyes
 * dark urine
 * pale stools
 * unusual tiredness
 * vaginal infection

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Storage conditions needed for this medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store the tablets at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Other information
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to dirithromycin.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the dirithromycin, call your doctor.

Brand names

 * Dynabac®