Orbactiv

Orbactiv is an antibiotic that is used in adults to treat some bacterial skin infections.

Orbactiv may also be used for other reasons that are not mentioned in this medication guide.

Use only as directed. Inform your doctor if you are taking other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

You should not receive Orbactiv if you are allergic to it, or if you will be using "unfractionated" heparin within 5 days after you receive this medicine injection.

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to medicines such as dalbavancin, telavancin, or vancomycin;
• if you use a blood thinner (such as warfarin) and you have routine "INR" or prothrombin time tests; or
• any allergies.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Some side effects may happen during the injection. Tell your medical caregiver if you feel dizzy, nauseous, light-headed, itchy, sweaty, or have a headache, chest tightness, back pain, trouble breathing, or swelling in your face.

Tell your medical caregivers right away if you have:

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it happens months after your last dose); or
• signs of osteomyelitis (bone infection)--new pain, swelling, or warmth in a bone or joint area.

Common side effects of Orbactiv may include:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• fever, chills;
• itching;
• headache; or
• skin infections.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Orbactiv is given by infusion into a vein by a healthcare provider, usually as a single dose.

Your infusion time may change if you switch to a different brand of Orbactiv.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse after receiving Orbactiv.

Skipping the dose could let the infection become resistant to this medicine and other antibiotics. This medicine will not treat viral illnesses such as the flu or a common cold.

Orbactiv can affect the results of certain medical tests for up to 5 days after your injection. Tell any doctor who treats you that you have been treated with this medicine.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea. Tell your doctor if you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody.

Tell your doctor right away if you notice new pain, swelling, or warmth in a bone or joint area. If your doctor thinks you might have a bone infection (osteomyelitis), they may switch you to a different antibiotic.

In a medical setting, it is unlikely that you will miss a dose.

In a medical setting, an overdose will be treated quickly.

For at least 5 days after getting Orbactiv, do not use heparin.

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications together. Some drugs can change the levels of other drugs in your blood, which might increase side effects or reduce how well the medications work.

Tell your doctor about all the other medicines you are taking, especially:

• a blood thinner such as heparin or warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Orbactiv, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.