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TelavancinWarningAdults with moderate to severe kidney disease who are using telavancin to treat serious lung infections may be at an increased risk for death. Discuss the risks and benefits of this medication, as well as other effective and possibly safer treatments for lung infections, with your doctor. Telavancin may cause or worsen kidney problems. Problems are more likely to occur if you have heart failure, kidney disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure, or if you take certain medications (see also Drug Interactions section). Kidney function tests must be performed before you start treatment, during treatment, and after you finish treatment to check for kidney problems. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of kidney problems such as a change in the amount of urine. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your doctor may order a pregnancy test before starting this medication. You should not become pregnant while using telavancin. Telavancin may harm an unborn baby. Women of childbearing age should ask about reliable forms of birth control while using this medication and for 2 days after the last dose. If you become pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of this medication. PrecautionsSee also Warning section. Before using telavancin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history. Telavancin may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away. The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT prolongation. Before using telavancin, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take and if you have any of the following conditions: certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death). Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you use certain drugs (such as diuretics/"water pills") or if you have conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using telavancin safely. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Telavancin may cause live bacterial vaccines (such as typhoid vaccine) to not work well. Tell your health care professional that you are using telavancin before having any immunizations/vaccinations. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially QT prolongation (see above). During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may harm an unborn baby. Consult your doctor for more details. (See also Warning section.) It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. Side EffectsSee also Warning and How to Use sections. Metallic/soapy taste, nausea, vomiting, or foamy urine may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: fast/irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness, fainting. This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition due to a bacteria called C. difficile. This condition may occur during treatment or weeks to months after treatment has stopped. Tell your doctor right away if you develop: diarrhea that doesn't stop, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, blood/mucus in your stool. If you have these symptoms, do not use anti-diarrhea or opioid products because they may make symptoms worse. Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in oral thrush or a new vaginal yeast infection. Contact your doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge, or other new symptoms. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345. |