Before taking DIFICID(Fidaxomicin)

Fidaxomicin is a macrolide antibiotic. It exerts its effect in treating Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea primarily by inhibiting bacterial RNA polymerase. However, besides its therapeutic effects, the drug may also cause certain toxic and side effects. Therefore, many precautions should be taken during the use of fidaxomicin.

Precautions for Fidaxomicin

1. Allergic reactions

Acute allergic reactions may occur with the use of fidaxomicin, including difficulty breathing, skin rashes, itching, and angioedema of the mouth, throat, and face. If a severe allergic reaction occurs, fidaxomicin should be discontinued and appropriate treatment should be administered.

2. Not applicable for infections other than Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea

Due to the minimal systemic absorption of fidaxomicin, it is not expected to be effective in treating other types of infections. Currently, there are no valid clinical data supporting the use of fidaxomicin for infections other than Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea. Hence, fidaxomicin can only be used for the treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea.

3. Development of drug-resistant bacteria

In the absence of confirmed or highly suspected Clostridium difficile infection, the direct use of fidaxomicin is unlikely to produce significant therapeutic effects and may increase the risk of developing drug-resistant bacteria. Therefore, patients should take the medication as prescribed by doctors only after their condition is confirmed, and should not use it blindly.

If adverse events related to fidaxomicin, such as allergic reactions, occur due to blind medication use, patients should go to the hospital in a timely manner for treatment based on their symptoms, such as taking anti-allergic drugs as prescribed by doctors, to prevent impacts on their own health.