delafloxacin meglumine at a glance
Medicine class
Fluoroquinolone antibiotic.
Licensed uses
Acute bacterial skin and skin-structure infections and community-acquired pneumonia in adults.
When it is used
When commonly recommended antibiotics are inappropriate because of resistance, contraindications, unacceptable adverse effects or treatment failure.
What is delafloxacin meglumine used for?
The selected products are licensed only for adults and when other commonly recommended antibiotics are inappropriate.
Acute bacterial skin and skin-structure infections, including cellulitis or erysipelas, abscesses and wound infections.
Community-acquired pneumonia.
How does delafloxacin meglumine work?
Delafloxacin blocks bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. Bacteria need these enzymes to copy, repair and reorganise their DNA, so blocking them prevents bacterial survival and replication.
delafloxacin meglumine preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 300 mg
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 450 mg
How to take delafloxacin meglumine
Intravenous treatment is prepared and administered by healthcare professionals.
Swallow tablets whole with sufficient water.
Tablets may be taken with or without food.
Separate tablets from aluminium- or magnesium-containing antacids, sucralfate, iron, zinc and mineral-containing multivitamins as directed by the prescriber or pharmacist.
Do not drive or operate machinery if dizziness, light-headedness, visual disturbance or reduced concentration occurs.
delafloxacin meglumine side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Fungal infection
- Itching
- Raised liver transaminases on blood tests
Get urgent medical advice
- Tendon pain, swelling or rupture
- Burning, tingling, numbness or weakness suggesting peripheral neuropathy
- Severe allergy, including facial or throat swelling and breathing difficulty
- New confusion, hallucinations, depression, psychosis or thoughts of self-harm
- Persistent, severe or bloody diarrhoea suggesting Clostridioides difficile infection
- Blistering or peeling skin or mouth lesions
- Sudden severe chest, abdominal or back pain, or new breathlessness, palpitations or swelling
- Marked symptoms of low or high blood glucose
delafloxacin meglumine in pregnancy
Delafloxacin is contraindicated during pregnancy. Effective contraception is required during treatment for anyone who could become pregnant. Contact the prescriber promptly after accidental exposure.
delafloxacin meglumine while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is contraindicated during treatment. It is unknown whether delafloxacin enters human milk, and a risk to the infant cannot be excluded. Discuss alternative treatment or feeding arrangements with the specialist team.
delafloxacin meglumine interactions
Tell the clinical team about all prescribed, over-the-counter and complementary products.
Aluminium- or magnesium-containing antacids and sucralfate
They can substantially reduce absorption of oral delafloxacin, so administration must be separated.
Iron, zinc and mineral-containing multivitamins
Metal ions bind oral delafloxacin and reduce absorption, requiring separated administration.
Systemic corticosteroids
Combined use should be avoided where possible because it increases the risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture.
Common questions about delafloxacin meglumine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why is delafloxacin not usually a first-choice antibiotic?
Fluoroquinolones can rarely cause disabling, long-lasting or irreversible reactions, so they are reserved for situations where other suitable antibiotics cannot be used or have failed.
Can delafloxacin tablets be taken with food?
Yes. Tablets can be taken with or without food.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.