Fidaxomicin for Clostridium difficile

About fidaxomicin

An infection with Clostridium difficile germs (bacteria) - often called 'C. diff' - most commonly occurs in people who have recently had a course of antibiotics and are in hospital. The symptoms can range from mild diarrhoea to a life-threatening inflammation of the colon (large intestine). No treatment may be needed in mild cases apart from drinking plenty of fluids but treatment with antibiotics is needed when the symptoms are more severe. Even after treatment, some people can have spores from the bacteria still living in their colon and this means that re-infection can sometimes occur.

Fidaxomicin is an antibiotic specifically used for the treatment of Clostridium difficile. It kills the bacteria causing the infection and this helps to reduce the diarrhoea associated with the infection. When you take fidaxomicin, the medicine is not absorbed into your body but instead it stays in your colon to target the bacteria and spores causing the infection.

Before taking fidaxomicin

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking fidaxomicin it is important that your doctor knows:

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• If you have any problems with the way your liver works or any problems with the way your kidneys work.

• If you are taking or using any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.

How to take fidaxomicin

• Before you start taking the antibiotic, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about fidaxomicin and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience from taking it.

• Take fidaxomicin exactly as your doctor tells you to. You will be prescribed one tablet twice a day for 10 days. Try to space out your doses evenly throughout the day - so ideally, take a dose every 12 hours.

• If you are using the oral liquid medicine, the bottle should be removed from the fridge 15 minutes before use and gently shaken about ten times. Use the oral syringe provided to measure your doses. Return the bottle to the fridge after use.

• You can take fidaxomicin either before or after meals.

• If you forget to take a dose at the correct time, take it as soon as you remember. Try to take two doses every day but do not take the two doses together to make up for missing a dose.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Your doctor will arrange to see you regularly so that your progress can be monitored.

• It is important that you keep taking the tablets until the course is finished (unless you are told otherwise by your doctor). This is because your infection may come back if you stop taking the tablets before the 10-day course is finished.

• As with any bout of diarrhoea, it is important that the fluid which has been lost from your body is replaced. This will mean that you will be asked to drink extra fluids for a while.

• You, those caring for you, and your visitors, will all be asked to follow strict hygiene measures. These will help to prevent the spread of infection to other people. Please be careful to follow any instructions you are given.

• If you are due to have any vaccinations in the near future, please make sure that the person treating you knows that you have recently taken this medicine. Antibiotics like fidaxomicin can stop the oral typhoid vaccine from working properly.

Can fidaxomicin cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the common ones associated with fidaxomicin. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the tablets, please speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

How to store fidaxomicin

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.

• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

• The oral liquid medicine should be stored in the fridge and used before the expiry date written on the bottle.

Important information about all medicines