Paromomycin

Generic Name: paromomycin (par-oh-moe-MYE-sin)
Brand Name: Humatin

Paromomycin is used for:

Treating amoeba infection in the intestines. It is also used in combination with other medicines to manage a serious complication of liver disease (hepatic coma). It may be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Paromomycin is an antibacterial agent. It works by killing sensitive bacteria.

Do NOT use paromomycin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in paromomycin
• you have a blockage in your intestines

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

Slideshow: Can Prescription Drugs Lead to Weight Gain?

Before using paromomycin:

Some medical conditions may interact with paromomycin. 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, bowel problems (eg, ulcers, lesions), myasthenia gravis, Parkinson disease, or kidney problems, or you are dehydrated

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

• Digoxin because the actions and side effects may be increased or effectiveness may be decreased by paromomycin
• Nondepolarizing muscle relaxants, (eg, pancuronium) or succinylcholine because the actions and side effects may be increased by paromomycin

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if paromomycin 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 paromomycin:

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

• Take paromomycin with food.
• To clear up your infection completely, continue using paromomycin for the full course of treatment even if you feel better in a few days. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of paromomycin, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

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

Important safety information:

• It is important to use paromomycin for the full course of treatment. Failure to do so may decrease the effectiveness of paromomycin.
• Long-term or repeated use of paromomycin may cause a second infection. Your doctor may want to change your medicine to treat the second infection. Contact your doctor if signs of a second infection occur.
• Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using paromomycin.
• Use paromomycin with extreme caution in INFANTS. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• Use paromomycin with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 10 years of age who have diarrhea or a stomach or bowel infection.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant while taking paromomycin, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using paromomycin during pregnancy. It is unknown if paromomycin is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using paromomycin, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of paromomycin:

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:

Diarrhea; nausea; stomach cramps.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue).

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include decreased urination; hearing loss; ringing in the ears; skin tingling or numbness.

Store paromomycin between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep paromomycin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about paromomycin, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Paromomycin 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.
• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take paromomycin or any other medicine. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about paromomycin. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to paromomycin. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using paromomycin.

Disclaimer: This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.