Quinupristin and dalfopristin (Intravenous)

Generic name: quinupristin and dalfopristin [ kwin-ue-PRIS-tin, dal-foe-PRIS-tin ]
Brand name: Synercid
Drug class: Streptogramins

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 1, 2024.

Uses for quinupristin and dalfopristin

Quinupristin and dalfopristin injection is used to treat infections of the skin and the blood. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. It is given by injection and is used mainly for serious infection for which other medicine may not work.

Quinupristin and dalfopristin belong to the family of medicine called antibiotics. Antibiotics are medicines used in the treatment of infections caused by bacteria. They work by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. Quinupristin and dalfopristin will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using quinupristin and dalfopristin

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 this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine 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 quinupristin and dalfopristin injection in children younger than 16 years of age. 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 quinupristin and dalfopristin injection in the elderly.

Breast Feeding

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 this medicine, 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 this medicine 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.

Astemizole
Atorvastatin
Cerivastatin
Cholera Vaccine, Live
Fluvastatin
Haloperidol
Lovastatin
Pravastatin
Simvastatin
Tacrolimus
Vinblastine
Vincristine
Vincristine Sulfate Liposome
Vinorelbine

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Carbamazepine
Cyclosporine
Delavirdine
Diazepam
Diltiazem
Disopyramide
Felodipine
Indinavir
Isradipine
Lacidipine
Lidocaine
Manidipine
Methylprednisolone
Midazolam
Nevirapine
Nicardipine
Nifedipine
Nilvadipine
Nimodipine
Nisoldipine
Paclitaxel
Quinidine
Ritonavir
Verapamil

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.

Proper use of quinupristin and dalfopristin

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins. The medicine must be injected slowly, so your IV tube will need to stay in place for 60 minutes.

To help clear up your infection completely, this medicine must be given for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. Also, it works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, quinupristin and dalfopristin must be given on a regular schedule.

Precautions while using quinupristin and dalfopristin

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

If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, call your doctor.

This medicine may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. It may occur 2 months or more after you stop receiving this medicine. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. If you have any questions or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects of quinupristin and dalfopristin

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

Swelling, redness, or pain at the injection site

Less common

Changes in skin color
dry, red, hot, or irritated skin
joint pain
muscle pain
pain
redness, burning sensation, or pain under the skin usually in the injection site
swelling of the foot or leg
tenderness

Rare

Agitation
anxiety
back, leg, or stomach pains
black, tarry stools
bleeding gums
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
blood in the urine
bloody, black, or tarry stools
blue lips, fingernails, or skin
blurred vision
bone pain
burning, tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
chest pain or discomfort
chest pain, possibly moving to the left arm, neck, or shoulder
chills
coma
confusion
constipation
convulsions or seizures
cough or hoarseness
darkened urine
decreased urine output
difficult, fast, or labored breathing
difficult or painful urination
difficulty with moving
difficulty with swallowing
dizziness
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
drowsiness
extremely shallow or slow breathing
fainting
fast, slow, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
feeling of warmth or heat
flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
general body swelling
general tiredness and weakness
hallucinations
headache
high fever
hives
inability to speak
increased thirst
indigestion
irritability
itching
light-colored stools
loss of appetite
loss of bladder control
loss of consciousness
loss of strength or energy
lower back or side pain
muscle pain or cramps
muscle stiffness or weakness
nausea or vomiting
no blood pressure or pulse
nosebleeds
not breathing
pain in the joints
pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
pale skin
problems with bleeding or clotting
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
rapid weight gain
redness, burning sensation, or pain in the vagina
sensation of pins and needles
severe bloody diarrhea
severe or sudden headache
shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
shortness of breath
skin rash
skin rash with red patches
slurred speech
sore throat
sores on the skin
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
stabbing pain
stiff neck
stopping of the heart
sweating
swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
swollen glands
temporary blindness
tightness in the chest
tingling of the hands or feet
total body jerking
trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
troubled breathing
unconsciousness
unexplained bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
unusual weight gain or loss
upper right abdominal or stomach pain
vomiting
vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe
wheezing
worsening of the underlying disease
yellowing of the eyes or skin

Incidence not known

Large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

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:

Rare