DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Capreomycin (CAP-ree-oh-MY-sin)
Brand Name: Capastat

Capreomycin should be used with extreme caution in patients with hearing or kidney problems, because it may increase hearing or kidney damage. Other injectable medicines used to treat tuberculosis (eg, streptomycin, viomycin) should not be used along with Capreomycin because the risk of hearing or kidney problems may be further increased. Other medicines that may cause hearing or kidney problems (eg, polymyxin A, colistin, amikacin, gentamicin, tobramycin, vancomycin, kanamycin, neomycin) should be used with extreme caution. Safety and effectiveness of Capreomycin in pregnancy or in pediatric patients has not been confirmed.

Capreomycin is used for:

Treating lung infections caused by certain strains of tuberculosis (TB). It is used with other medications and it is only used in those patients who have not responded to or cannot use other specific medicines.

Capreomycin is a polypeptide antibiotic. It works by killing or stopping the growth of tuberculosis organisms.

Do NOT use Capreomycin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Capreomycin
• you are taking other injectable medicines for tuberculosis (eg, streptomycin, viomycin)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Capreomycin :

Some medical conditions may interact with Capreomycin . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have hearing problems, kidney problems, liver problems, Parkinson disease, nerve impairment, or myasthenia gravis

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Capreomycin . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Nondepolarizing muscle relaxants (eg, pancuronium) because the actions and side effects may be increased by Capreomycin
• Amikacin, colistin, gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin, polymyxin A, streptomycin, tobramycin, vancomycin, or viomycin because risk of serious hearing or kidney side effects may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Capreomycin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Capreomycin :

Use Capreomycin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Capreomycin is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you are using Capreomycin at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider.
• If Capreomycin contains particles or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.
• Capreomycin may turn a pale straw color that might darken with time. This is normal.
• Continue to use Capreomycin for the full course of treatment even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. Do not stop using Capreomycin without checking with your doctor.
• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain local regulations for proper disposal.
• If you miss a dose of Capreomycin , contact your doctor immediately.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Capreomycin .

Important safety information:

• Capreomycin is effective only against bacteria. It is not effective for treating viral infections (eg, the common cold).
• It is important to use Capreomycin for the full course of treatment. Failure to do so may decrease the effectiveness of Capreomycin and increase the risk that the bacteria will no longer be sensitive to Capreomycin and will not be able to be treated by this or certain other antibiotics in the future.
• Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Capreomycin .
• LAB TESTS, including kidney function, liver function, blood potassium levels, or hearing tests, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Capreomycin with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Capreomycin is not recommended for use in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant while taking Capreomycin , discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Capreomycin during pregnancy. It is unknown if Capreomycin is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast feeding while you are using Capreomycin , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Capreomycin :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Pain, swelling, redness, or a hard lump at the injection site.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); fever, chills, or sore throat; hearing loss; ringing in the ears; sensation that the room is spinning; severe bleeding at the injection site; urination problems.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include dizziness; loss of ability to hear high tones; ringing in the ears; sensation that the room is spinning.

Proper storage of Capreomycin :

Capreomycin is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Capreomycin at home, store Capreomycin as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Capreomycin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Capreomycin , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Capreomycin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Capreomycin . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.