Capreomycin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 23, 2025.

Applies to capreomycin: injection powder for solution.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Injection route (powder for solution)

The use of capreomycin may be associated with worse clinical outcomes, ie, decreased effectiveness and increased mortality, compared with other parenteral therapy for pulmonary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

In patients who require parenteral treatment for pulmonary MDR-TB, reserve capreomycin for those with resistance to injectable aminoglycosides and limited treatment options.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 other 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.

Serious side effects of capreomycin

Along with its needed effects, capreomycin 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 while taking capreomycin:

More common side effects

• 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 side effects

• bleeding gums
• pinpoint red spots on the skin

Incidence not known

• confusion
• continuous ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• 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
• seizures
• sensation of spinning
• stomach cramps
• tremor

Other side effects of capreomycin

Some side effects of capreomycin 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

For healthcare professionals

Applies to capreomycin: intramuscular powder for injection.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported side effects included blood urea nitrogen (BUN) elevations above 20 mg/100 mL, subclinical hearing loss, and eosinophilia.^[Ref]

Renal

• Very common (10% or more): BUN elevation above 20 mg/100 mL (up to 26%)
• Common (1% to 10%): BUN elevation above 30 mg/100 mL
• Frequency not reported: Acute tubular necrosis, depression of phenolsulfonphthalein (PSP) excretion, oliguria, renal insufficiency, toxic nephritis^[Ref]

A fatal case of renal insufficiency and oliguria occurred in a patient with tuberculosis and portal cirrhosis treated with 1 g of this drug and aminosalicylic acid daily for 1 month. Toxic nephritis was reported, and autopsy showed subsiding acute tubular necrosis.^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Subclinical auditory loss (up to 11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Clinically apparent hearing loss
• Frequency not reported: Death, febrile reaction, ototoxicity, tinnitus^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Thrombocytopenia
• Frequency not reported: Eosinophilia, leukocytosis, leukopenia^[Ref]

Local

• Frequency not reported: Excessive bleeding at injection site, injection site induration, injection site pain, sterile abscesses^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Electrolyte disturbances, hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Frequency not reported: Abnormal liver function tests, decrease in bromsulphalein (BSP) excretion^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Maculopapular skin rashes, urticaria^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Frequency not reported: Vertigo^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Frequency not reported: Abnormal urine sediment^[Ref]

Further information

Capreomycin side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer