Spiramycin is a drug used to treat bacterial infections and parasitic infections, such as toxoplasmosis. This drug is often used to treat toxoplasmosis in pregnant women.
Spiramycin is a macrolide antibiotic that works by inhibiting the growth of bacteria. This drug is also able to inhibit the growth of parasites. Please note, spiramycin cannot be used to treat viral infections, such as the flu.
The use of spiramycin in the treatment of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women serves as replacement therapy when antitoxoplasma drugs, such as pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine, cannot be used.
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What is Spiramycin
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Macrolide antibiotics |
| Benefit | Treating bacterial infections, overcoming toxoplasmosis during pregnancy |
| Consumed by | Adults and children |
| Spiramycin for pregnant and lactating women | Category C:Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. Drugs should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus.Spiramycin can be absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Tablets, caplets, syrup |
Warnings Before Taking Spiramycin
Spiramycin should only be taken according to a doctor's prescription. There are several things that must be considered before taking this drug, including:
- Do not take spiramycin if you are allergic to this drug or to other macrolide antibiotics. Tell your doctor about any allergies you have.
- Tell your doctor if you have or are currently experiencing liver problems, bile duct disorders, or arrhythmias.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- Follow your doctor's advice, including if you are asked to do regular liver function tests while taking spiramycin.
- Immediately see a doctor if there is an allergic reaction to the drug or an overdose after taking spiramycin.
Dosage and Rules for Use of Spiramycin
The dose and duration of use of spiramycin will be determined by the doctor according to the type of infectious disease, the severity of the infection, the health condition, and the age of the patient. The following is the distribution of spiramycin doses based on the patient's condition and age:
Condition: Bacterial infection
- Mature: 1–2 grams (3–6 million IU), 2 times daily. For severe infections, the dose is 2–2.5 grams per day, 2 times a day.
- Infants and children: For children weighing 20 kg, the dose is 25 mg/kgBW (75,000 IU/kgBW), 2 times a day.
Condition: Toxoplasmosis and protozoan infections
- Pregnant women: 6–9 million IU per day, divided into 2–3 doses. The dose may be increased to 15 million IU per day in severe infections.
- Infants and children: 50–100 mg/kg body weight per day, divided into 2 doses, for 6 weeks.
Method Taking Spiramycin Correctly
Follow the doctor's recommendations and read the instructions for use listed on the packaging before taking spiramycin.
It is better to take this medicine on an empty stomach. However, if the patient has stomach pain, spiramycin can be taken with food.
For spiramycin syrup, use the measuring spoon provided in the package or a special measuring spoon for the drug. Do not use a regular spoon because the size is not as recommended. Shake the bottle first before taking spiramycin syrup.
Spiramycin film-coated tablets and film-coated caplets must be taken whole. Do not split, chew, or crush the medicine.
Continue to take treatment according to the doctor's advice even if the condition seems to have improved. Do not stop taking spiramycin before the time prescribed by the doctor because it can cause the infection to recur.
Take spiramycin at the same time every day for optimal results. If you forget to take this medicine, it is advisable to do it immediately if the gap with the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the dose.
Store spiramycin in a room at room temperature. Do not store it in a humid place or in direct sunlight. Keep this medicine out of reach of children.
Spiramycin Interactionwith other drugs
The following are the effects of interactions that may occur when taking spiramycin together with other medicines:
- Reduced absorption of the drug carbidopa and reduced blood levels of the drug levodopa
- Increased risk of heart rhythm disturbances if taken with astemizole, cisapride, or terfenadine
- Increased risk of developing dystonia when taken with fluphenazine
Spiramycin Side Effects and Dangers
Side effects that may appear after taking spiramycin are:
- Nauseous
- Throw up
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- tingling
Check with your doctor if the side effects above don't go away or get worse. See your doctor immediately if you have an allergic reaction to the drug or a more serious side effect, such as pseudomembranous colitis, nerve disorders, or irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias).