(fye DAX oh mye sin)
Treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD)
Hypersensitivity to fidaxomicin
Treatment of diarrhea due to Clostridium difficile (CDAD): Oral: 200 mg twice daily for 10 days
Refer to adult dosing.
No dosage adjustment necessary (minimal systemic absorption).
No dosage adjustment provided in manufacturer 's label (has not been studied); However, due to minimal systemic absorption no dosage adjustment predicted.
May be administered with or without food.
Store at 20 ‚ °C to 25 ‚ °C (68 ‚ °F to 77 ‚ °F); excursions permitted to 15 ‚ °C to 30 ‚ °C (59 ‚ °F to 86 ‚ °F).
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.
Tablet, Oral:
Dificid: 200 mg [contains soybean lecithin]
Lactobacillus and Estriol: Antibiotics may diminish the therapeutic effect of Lactobacillus and Estriol. Monitor therapy
Rilpivirine: Macrolide Antibiotics may increase the serum concentration of Rilpivirine. Management: Consider the use of azithromycin or another non-macrolide alternative when appropriate to avoid this potential interaction. Consider therapy modification
Sodium Picosulfate: Antibiotics may diminish the therapeutic effect of Sodium Picosulfate. Management: Consider using an alternative product for bowel cleansing prior to a colonoscopy in patients who have recently used or are concurrently using an antibiotic. Consider therapy modification
>10%: Gastrointestinal: Nausea (11%)
2% to 10%:
Gastrointestinal: Gastrointestinal hemorrhage (4%), abdominal pain, vomiting
Hematologic & oncologic: Anemia (2%), neutropenia (2%)
<2% (Limited to important or life-threatening): Abdominal distention, abdominal tenderness, angioedema, decreased platelet count, decreased serum bicarbonate, dyspepsia, dysphagia, dyspnea, fixed drug eruption, flatulence, hepatotoxicity (idiosyncratic) (Chalasani, 2014), hyperglycemia, hypersensitivity reaction, increased liver enzymes, increased serum alkaline phosphatase, intestinal obstruction, megacolon, metabolic acidosis, pruritus, skin rash
Plasma concentrations were approximately 2- to 4-fold higher in elderly patients versus nonelderly patients.
Concerns related to adverse effects:
- Hypersensitivity: Hypersensitivity reactions (angioedema [mouth, face, throat], dyspnea, pruritus, and rash) to fidaxomicin have been reported. If a severe reaction occurs, discontinue drug and institute supportive care.
- Macrolide allergy: Use with caution in patients with a history of macrolide allergy; may be at increased risk for hypersensitivity.
Other warnings/precautions:
- Appropriate use: Do not use for systemic infections; fidaxomicin systemic absorption is negligible. Use only in patients with proven or strongly suspected Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infections.
B
Adverse events were not observed in animal reproduction studies. Due to the limited systemic absorption of fidaxomicin, exposure to the fetus is expected to be low.
Inhibits RNA polymerase sigma subunit resulting in inhibition of protein synthesis and cell death in susceptible organisms including C. difficile; bactericidal
Oral: Minimal systemic absorption
Largely confined to the gastrointestinal tract; in single- and multiple-dose studies, fecal concentrations of fidaxomicin and its active metabolite (OP-1118) are very high while serum concentrations are minimally detectable to undetectable
Intestinal hydrolysis to less active metabolite (OP-1118)
Feces (>92% as unchanged drug and metabolites); urine (<1% as metabolite)
- Discuss specific use of drug and side effects with patient as it relates to treatment. (HCAHPS: During this hospital stay, were you given any medicine that you had not taken before? Before giving you any new medicine, how often did hospital staff tell you what the medicine was for? How often did hospital staff describe possible side effects in a way you could understand?)
- Patient may experience nausea or vomiting. Have patient report immediately to prescriber black, tarry, or bloody stools; vomiting blood; chills; pharyngitis; severe constipation; severe abdominal pain, or severe loss of strength and energy (HCAHPS).
- Educate patient about signs of a significant reaction (eg, wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat). Note: This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. Patient should consult prescriber for additional questions.
Intended Use and Disclaimer: Should not be printed and given to patients. This information is intended to serve as a concise initial reference for healthcare professionals to use when discussing medications with a patient. You must ultimately rely on your own discretion, experience and judgment in diagnosing, treating and advising patients.