Capreomycin Injection Advanced Patient Information - Drugs.com

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# Capreomycin (Injection)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 30, 2022.

Injection route(Powder for Solution)

The use of capreomycin in patients with renal insufficiency or preexisting auditory impairment must be undertaken with great caution, and the risk of additional cranial nerve VIII impairment or renal injury should be weighed against the benefits to be derived from therapy. Since other parenteral antituberculosis agents (streptomycin, viomycin) also have similar and sometimes irreversible toxic effects, particularly on cranial nerve VIII and renal function, simultaneous administration of these agents with capreomycin is not recommended. Use with nonantituberculosis drugs (polymyxin A sulfate, colistin sulfate, amikacin, gentamicin, tobramycin, vancomycin, kanamycin, and neomycin) having ototoxic or nephrotoxic potential should be undertaken only with great caution. The safety of the use of capreomycin in pregnancy has not been determined. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established .

## Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

- Capastat Sulfate

Available Dosage Forms:

- Powder for Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antitubercular

Chemical Class: Aminoglycoside

## Uses for capreomycin

Capreomycin injection is used together with other medicines to treat tuberculosis (TB) in patients who have received other medicines that did not work well. Capreomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth.

Capreomycin is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

## Before using capreomycin

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For capreomycin, the following should be considered:

### Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to capreomycin or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

### Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of capreomycin injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

### Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of capreomycin injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have kidney and hearing problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving capreomycin.

### Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

### Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving capreomycin, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using capreomycin with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

- Ataluren

Using capreomycin with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

- Alcuronium
- Atracurium
- Cholera Vaccine, Live
- Cisatracurium
- Colistimethate Sodium
- Doxacurium
- Fazadinium
- Foscarnet
- Furosemide
- Gallamine
- Hexafluorenium
- Metocurine
- Mivacurium
- Pancuronium
- Pipecuronium
- Rapacuronium
- Rocuronium
- Tubocurarine
- Vecuronium

### Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

### Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of capreomycin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

- Hearing problems or
- Kidney disease—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

## Proper use of capreomycin

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you capreomycin in a hospital or clinic setting. Capreomycin is given as a shot into a muscle or into a vein.

You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to. Talk to your doctor if you have questions.

Your doctor or nurse will tell you about the supplies you need at home. Capreomycin must be mixed with sterile water or saline for injection before use. Check the medicine after it is mixed and do not use it if you see solid pieces or specks in the liquid.

### Missed dose

Capreomycin needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

### Storage

Store unopened vials of capreomycin at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze. An open vial of medicine must be used right away.

After the medicine is mixed in the injection solution, it can be stored for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.

Detailed Capreomycin dosage information

## Precautions while using capreomycin

Your doctor will check your progress closely while you are receiving capreomycin. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to receive it. Blood, urine, and hearing tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Check with your doctor right away if you have a sudden decrease in hearing or loss of hearing, ringing in the ears, dizziness or lightheadedness, a feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings, or a sensation of spinning. These may be symptoms of a serious hearing or balance problem.

Check with your doctor right away if you have blood in the urine, a change in frequency of urination or amount of urine, difficulty with breathing, drowsiness, increased thirst, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, swelling of the feet or lower legs, or weakness. These may be symptoms of a serious kidney problem.

## Capreomycin side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

- Black, tarry stools
- blood in the urine
- change in the frequency of urination or amount of urine
- chest pain
- chills
- cough
- difficult breathing
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- feeling of fullness in the ears
- fever
- increased thirst
- loss of appetite
- loss of balance
- loss of hearing
- nausea or vomiting
- painful or difficult urination
- ringing or buzzing in the ears
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
- swelling of the feet or lower legs
- swollen glands
- trouble with hearing
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare

- Bleeding gums
- pinpoint red spots on the skin

Incidence not known

- Abdominal or stomach cramps
- confusion
- continuous ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
- convulsions
- decreased urine
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- dry mouth
- feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
- irregular heartbeats
- muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
- muscle spasms (tetany) or twitching
- numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet
- sensation of spinning
- tremor

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

- Hives or welts, itching, or skin rash
- pain, bleeding, or hard lump at the injection site
- redness of the skin

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Capreomycin side effects (more detail)

## More about capreomycin

- Check interactions
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: streptomyces derivatives
- Breastfeeding
- En español

### Patient resources

- Drug Information

#### Other brands

Capastat Sulfate

### Professional resources

- Prescribing Information

### Related treatment guides

- Tuberculosis, Active

## Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer