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Overview: Sivextro is an antibiotic used to treat certain skin infections. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, and dizziness. Serious side effects are less common but can include a type of diarrhea that is difficult to treat. Call your health care provider right away if you have bloody or watery diarrhea or diarrhea that does not go away.

Uses

What is Sivextro used for?

Sivextro (tedizolid) is an antibiotic that is commonly used to treat skin infections caused by certain bacteria.

Sivextro may not be the right medicine for some skin infections, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Bacteria in some locations may be resistant to Sivextro, which will make it not work as well.

Sivextro may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Sivextro work (mechanism of action)?

Sivextro stops the growth of certain bacteria by blocking their ability to create proteins.

How is Sivextro supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Sivextro

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 200 mg oral tablets

Sivextro is also available in injectable forms.

How should I store Sivextro?

Oral Tablets. Sivextro tablets should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time,

such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Do not remove tablets from blister packs until ready to take.

Injection. Sivextro injection is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Sivextro?

The most common side effects of Sivextro are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the age of the person taking the medicine or the dosage form that is used. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Pain, itching, swelling, or redness near the infusion site
  • Dizziness
  • Pain or inflammation of veins (phlebitis)
  • Changes in liver function tests

There may be other side effects of Sivextro that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Sivextro?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Sivextro are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Sivextro may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Sivextro and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile,or C. diff, can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including Sivextro. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen even two months or more after stopping the antibiotic. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.

  • Watery diarrhea
  • Diarrhea that does not go away
  • Blood in your stool (poop)
  • Severe stomach cramps
  • Fever that starts after you start or finish the medicine

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Sivextro?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Sivextro.

  • Sivextro
  • Tedizolid
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Sivextro.

What should I know about Sivextro before using it?

Do not use Sivextro unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed. You should take Sivextro tablets around the same time each day. 

Do not share Sivextro with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Sivextro out of the reach of children.

Sivextro only treats certain infections caused by bacteria. It will not work for viral infections, such as the common cold, influenza, or coronavirus. It also will not work for any other that are not caused by bacteria. Taking Sivextro or any other antibiotic when it is not needed may cause the antibiotic to not work for bacterial infections in the future.

Sivextro can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how Sivextro affects you.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Sivextro?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Sivextro is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Sivextro may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Sivextro, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • History of diarrhea during or after taking antibiotics
  • Neutropenia

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Sivextro could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant, think you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take Sivextro while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Sivextro passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take Sivextro while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Sivextro?

For more information about Sivextro, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.sivextro.com or call them at 800-444-2080.

Interactions

Does Sivextro interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Sivextro and foods or drinks.

There are no known interactions between Sivextro and alcohol, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infections.

Does Sivextro interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Sivextro.

  • Methotrexate (Trexall and others), which is a medicine commonly used for rheumatoid arthritis or certain types of cancer
  • Rosuvastatin (Crestor), which is a medicine used to lower cholesterol
  • Topotecan (Hycamtin), which is a chemotherapy medicine used for certain types of cancer

Sivextro may alter the blood levels of some other medicines. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Sivextro. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Sivextro?

If you or someone else has used too much Sivextro, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Sivextro?

Oral Tablets. If you miss a Sivextro tablet dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is less than eight hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses. 

Injection. Sivextro injection is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving Sivextro as scheduled.

It is important to complete your prescribed course of Sivextro, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk that future infections are resistant to Sivextro or other similar medicines. Take all the tablets given to you, even if you have missed a dose. This may mean that you may need to take a tablet for another day if you missed taking a tablet on a given day.