Why is this medicine prescribed?
Fosfomycin injection is used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs; bacterial infection of the bladder or kidneys) in certain situations. Fosfomycin is in a class of medications called epoxide antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria that causes infections.
Are there other uses for this medicine?
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should this medicine be used?
Fosfomycin injection comes as a powder to be mixed with a liquid to be given intravenously (into the vein). It is given over 60 minutes every 8 to 24 hours. Your doctor will determine how long you should receive fosfomycin injection.
You may receive fosfomycin injection in a hospital or you may use the medication at home. If you will be using fosfomycin injection at home, your healthcare provider will show you how to infuse the medication. Be sure that you understand these directions, and ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions. Ask your healthcare provider what to do if you have any problems infusing ciprofloxacin injection.
You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with fosfomycin injection. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.
Use fosfomycin injection until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop using fosfomycin injection too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before receiving fosfomycin injection,
- tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication, any part of this medication, or any other medications, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
- some medications should not be taken with fosfomycin injection. Other medications may cause dosing changes or extra monitoring when taken with fosfomycin injection. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before receiving fosfomycin injection with your doctor and pharmacist. Before starting, stopping, or changing any medications while receiving fosfomycin injection, please get the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease, high blood pressure, heart failure, fluid in the lungs or legs, hyperaldosteronism (production of too much aldosterone), or reduced immune system due to medications or medical conditions. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has prolonged QT interval (a rare heart problem that may cause irregular heartbeat, fainting, or sudden death)
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while receiving fosfomycin injection, call your doctor.
- tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You should not breastfeed during treatment with fosfomycin injection and for 24 hours after the last dose.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
You should eat a diet low in sodium during treatment with fosfomycin injection. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about foods or beverages that should be avoided.
What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
Give the missed dose as soon as you remember it and then time your next dose 8-24 hours after that, depending on how it was prescribed, to create your new dosing schedule.
What should I do in case of overdose?
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help . If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
What side effects can this medicine cause?
Fosfomycin injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
- headache
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- rash; itching; hives; swelling of face, tongue or lips; trouble breathing
- swelling of legs, feet, hands or fingers
- feeling of racing heart or abnormal heartbeat; dizziness; faiting; seizure
- watery diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping, fever, nausea, and loss of appetitie
Fosfomycin injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online ( https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch ) or by phone ( 1-800-332-1088).What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Your healthcare provider will tell you how to store your medication. Store your medication only as directed. Make sure you understand how to store your medication properly.
Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to fosfomycin injection.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the fosfomycin injection, call your doctor.
Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about fosfomycin injection.
Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.