Kenspar (Zagam)

Zagam is a quinolone antibiotic. Sparfloxacin kills certain bacteria or stops their growth. It treats lung infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia. It also treats sinus infections and some other types of infection.

Therapeutic actions:
Sparfloxacin, like other Quinolones and fluoroquinolones, are bactericidal drugs, actively killing bacteria. Quinolones inhibit the bacterial DNA gyrase or the topoisomerase IV enzyme, thereby inhibiting DNA replication and transcription. Quinolones can enter cells easily and therefore are often used to treat intracellular pathogens such as Legionella pneumophila and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. For many gram-negative bacteria DNA gyrase is the target, whereas topoisomerase IV is the target for many gram-positive bacteria.

What is it used for?:
Zagam (sparfloxacin) is indicated for the treatment of adults (>/= 18 years of age) with the following infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms:
• Community-acquired pneumonia;
• Acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.

Contraindications and cautions:
Sparfloxacin increases the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight, and a severe sunburn may result.

Side effects:
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation;
• headache, lightheadedness, or drowsiness;
• ringing in the ears; or
• increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.

Interactions:
• Taking antacids, sucralfate, or vitamin or mineral supplements too close to a dose of sparfloxacin can greatly decrease the effects of the antibiotic
• the heart medicines amiodarone (Cordarone), disopyramide (Norpace), quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute, others), procainamide (Procan SR, Pronestyl), sotalol (Betapace), and bepridil (Vascor);
• terfenadine (Seldane, Seldane-D) or astemizole (Hismanal);
• a tricyclic antidepressant including amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), amoxapine (Asendin), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), doxepin (Sinequan), and others;
• a phenothiazine including chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), perphenazine (Trilafon), mesoridazine (Serentil), thioridazine (Mellaril), and others;
• erythromycin (E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, E.E.S., others); or
• cisapride (Propulsid).