Spiramycin

Intravenous
Toxoplasmosis, Cryptosporidiosis, Protozoal infections, Susceptible infections

Oral
Cryptosporidiosis, Protozoal infections, Susceptible infections, Toxoplasmosis

May be taken with or without food.

Hypersensitivity.

Hepatic impairment; pregnancy and lactation. Monitor liver function. History of arrhythmias or predisposition to QT interval prolongation.

Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea; urticaria, pruritus, macular rashes. Transient paraesthesia may occur.
Potentially Fatal: Pseudomembranous colitis; anaphylaxis; neuromuscular blockade; ventricular arrhythmias, prolongation of QT interval.

Decreases carbidopa absorption and levodopa concentrations. Increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias when used with astemizole, cisapride and terfenadine. Risk of acute dystonia when used with fluphenazine.

Description:
Mechanism of Action: Spiramycin is a macrolide antibacterial that inhibits protein synthesis by irreversibly binding to the 50S subunit of the ribosomal subunit thus blocking the transpeptidation or translocation reactions of susceptible organisms resulting in stunted cell growth.
Pharmacokinetics:
Absorption: Incompletely absorbed from the GI tract (oral); peak plasma concentrations after 1.5-3 hr.
Distribution: Widely distributed into tissues, enters breast milk. Protein binding: 10-25%.
Metabolism: Metabolised hepatically to active metabolites.
Excretion: Via bile (as metabolites), via urine (10%); 5-8 hr (elimination half-life).

Macrolides