Paromomycin Sulfate (paromomycin sulfate)
Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
Overview
Paromomycin sulfate is an aminoglycoside antibiotic with antibacterial and antiprotozoal activity.
Paromomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic obtained from Streptomyces rimosus var. paromomycinus. The drug is structurally related to neomycin, streptomycin, and kanamycin. Paromomycin is considered a luminal or contact amebicide since it acts principally in the intestinal lumen.
Like other aminoglycosides, paromomycin is bactericidal and appears to inhibit protein synthesis in susceptible bacteria at the 30S segment of the ribosome. Paromomycin has a broad spectrum of activity similar to that of neomycin. Paromomycin is active against protozoa, especially Entamoeba histolytica.
Limited in vitro studies indicate that paromomycin concentrations of 5 mcg/mL may be amebistatic and concentrations of 10 mcg/mL may be amebicidal against Acanthamoeba. In one study, several strains of Blastocystis hominis were not susceptible to the drug in vitro. Paromomycin also is active against Cryptosporidium.
Paromomycin inhibits protein synthesis by binding to the prokaryotic ribosomes of Cryptosporidium.
Paromomycin sulfate is poorly absorbed from the GI tract. Lesions or ulcerations of the intestine may facilitate absorption of the drug. Paromomycin is rapidly absorbed following IM+ injection, and peak plasma concentrations are attained within 1 hour.
Almost 100% of an oral dose is eliminated unchanged in feces.
USES: This medication is used to treat a certain parasite infection of the intestines (amebiasis). This medication is known as an aminoglycoside antibiotic. It works by stopping the growth of parasites in the intestines.
This medication is poorly absorbed into the blood so it will not work for infections outside of the intestines. Paromomycin may also be used along with a special diet to treat a certain serious brain problem (hepatic encephalopathy). This condition occurs in people with liver disease and is caused by too much of a certain natural substance (ammonia) in the body.
Normally the liver gets rid of the ammonia. Paromomycin helps to treat hepatic encephalopathy by stopping the growth of certain bacteria in your intestines that make ammonia. This antibiotic treats only parasitic and bacterial infections.
It will not work for viral infections (such as common cold, flu). Using any antibiotic when it is not needed can cause it to not work for future infections.
Generic name: paromomycin sulfate
Pronunciation: (PAIR-oh-mow-MY-sin)
Reference product & biosimilars
No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.
Today’s intelligence on Paromomycin Sulfate
Indications
The following indications are listed for Paromomycin Sulfate:
- Acute Intestinal Amebiasis
- Chronic Intestinal Amebiasis
- Hepatic Coma
Also known as: Acute Amebic Dysentery.
Dosing
Dosage of paromomycin sulfate is expressed in terms of paromomycin.
Paromomycin sulfate is administered orally with a meal.
Paromomycin sulfate has been administered topically+ for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis+ as a preparation containing paromomycin 15% and methylbenzethonium chloride 12% in white petrolatum. Topical preparations of the drug are not commercially available in the US.
Paromomycin sulfate has been administered IM+ for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (kala azar)+. Parenteral preparations of the drug are not commercially available in the US.
Store paromomycin sulfate capsules in a tight container at 20-25degreesC; protect capsules from moisture.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
Drug interactions
No formal drug interaction studies have been conducted to date.
There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.
There are no severe interactions for this drug.
There are no moderate interactions for this drug.
Contraindications
*Known hypersensitivity to the drug.
*Intestinal obstruction.
There are no contraindication contraindications for this drug.
There are no severe contraindications for this drug.
There are no moderate contraindications for this drug.
Adverse reactions
Adverse effects reported following oral administration of paromomycin at doses >3 g daily include nausea, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.
Adverse effects following topical+ administration of paromomycin (combined with topical methylbenzethonium chloride) include local reactions such as burning, pruritus, erythema, pain, edema, and blisters.
Adverse effects following IM+ administration of paromomycin include injection site pain, fever, elevated liver enzymes, and reversible ototoxicity.
There are no severe adverse reactions for this drug.
There are no less severe adverse reactions for this drug.
Precautions
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Because oral paromomycin is minimally absorbed from the GI tract, it may be a drug of choice for treatment of amebiasis or giardiasis+ in pregnant women.
No specific precautions are recommended for use of paromomycin in breast-feeding women.
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ICD codes
No ICD codes are available for this drug.
Formulary status
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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
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