Spiramycin

Spiramycin is often used to treat toxoplasmosis. Spiramycin can also be used to treat infections caused by other kinds of bacteria. However, it is not routinely used because many disease-causing bacteria has acquired resistance to it.  Spiramycin is a macrolide antibiotic, and it belongs to the same class with the antibiotics Erthromycin, Azithromycin, and Telithromycin.

Spiramycin is a prescription drug.

Like many other antibiotics, Spiramycin does not work and will not treat diseases caused by viral infections.

The doctor needs to consider the following before prescribing Spiramycin.

Allergies

You cannot use Spiramycin if you are allergic to it. Tell the doctor if you have allergies to other macrolides such as Erythromycin, Azithromycin, Clarithromycin, Dirithromycin, and Josamycin. If you have allergies to these drugs, it is likely that you are allergic to Spiramycin as well.

Pregnancy

Tell the doctor if you are pregnant before taking Spiramycin. Toxoplasmosis can cause birth defects in the fetus of pregnant patients. Spiramycin can be given to pregnant patients with toxoplasmosis to reduce the risk of transferring the disease to the fetus. However, Spiramycin will not have any effect on the damage caused by the infection to the fetus.

Breastfeeding

Do not breastfeed when receiving Spiramycin. Spiramycin is known to be expressed in the breast milk.

Use on children and elderly

Spiramycin can be used in children and elderly with doctor’s supervision.

Health conditions

Spiramycin should be used with caution if you have liver problems.

Spiramycin is available in tablets that you take by mouth. Spiramycin is also available as a suppository. Follow your doctor’s orders in taking Spiramycin.

Take Spiramycin on an empty stomach, or two hours before or after a meal.

The dose and frequency of dosing of Spiramycin depends on the patient’s diagnosis. For treating bacterial infections, Spiramycin is usually taken twice a day. Children with bacterial infections can take Spiramycin twice or three times a day. For treating toxoplasmosis in pregnant patients, Spiramycin is usually taken three or four times a day.

Make sure to continue taking Spiramycin as the doctor prescribed. It is important not to miss or discontinue treatment with Spiramycin to prevent development of resistance to the bacteria, which can make future infections more difficult to treat.

If you missed a dose of Spiramycin, take it as soon as your remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to original dosing. Do not take more Spiramycin to make up for the missed dose.

If you overdosed on Spiramycin, call emergency medical services right away.

Store Spiramycin at room temperature away from light and moisture. 

When taking antibiotics such as Spiramycin, it is important to finish the whole course of treatment to completely treat the infection and prevent development of bacterial resistance.

Spiramycin may change the results of certain laboratory tests. Make sure to let your health providers know you are taking Spiramycin.

Spiramycin may cause severe allergic reaction symptoms such as rash, itching, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, throat,  lips, or tongue. If you experience allergic reaction to Spiramycin, call your doctor right away.

Spiramycin may cause other side effects such as indigestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset.