Spectinomycin (Intramuscular route)
Uses of This Medicine:
Spectinomycin is used to treat most types of gonorrhea. It is given by injection into a muscle. It is sometimes given with other medicines for gonorrhea and related infections.
Spectinomycin may be used in patients who are allergic to penicillins, cephalosporins, or probenecid (e.g., Benemid). This medicine is also used to treat recent sexual partners of patients who have gonorrhea. However, spectinomycin will not work for gonorrhea of the throat, syphilis, colds, flu, or other virus infections.
Spectinomycin is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before Using This Medicine:
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
This medicine has been used in a limited number of children. In effective doses, the medicine has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults. However, use in infants is not recommended.
Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of spectinomycin in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Proper Use of This Medicine:
Spectinomycin is given by injection into a muscle. To help clear up your gonorrhea completely, usually only one dose is needed. However, in some infections a second dose of this medicine may be required.
Gonorrhea and related infections are spread by having sex with an infected partner. Therefore, it may be desirable that the male sexual partner wear a condom (prophylactic) during intercourse to prevent infection. Also, it may be necessary for your partner to be treated at the same time you are being treated. This will help to avoid passing the infection back and forth.
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
Precautions While Using This Medicine:
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy. If this reaction is especially bothersome, check with your doctor.
Side Effects of This Medicine:
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Last Updated: 6/12/2013
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