Fosfomycin

• Monurol (fosfomycin) is an antibiotic used in adult women to treat a bladder infection (urinary tract infection).
• It is not used for kidney infections or more serious infections; it treats mild to moderate bladder infections only.
• Like all antibiotics, it only treats bacterial infections, not viral illnesses like the common cold or flu.

• Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare professional tells you.
• This medicine comes as a powder in a single sachet, meant to treat your infection with just one dose.
• Empty the entire sachet into about half a cup of cold water, stir until dissolved, and drink it right away.
• Take this medicine on an empty stomach, at least an hour before eating or 2 to 3 hours after a meal, since food can make it work less well.
• Try not to take other medicines at the same time as this one, if possible.

If you miss a dose

• Since this medicine is a single, one-time dose, there is no ongoing schedule to follow.
• If you have not yet taken your dose, take it on an empty stomach or at least 2 to 3 hours after your next meal.

• Tell your healthcare professional if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant, since this medicine crosses into the placenta and its safety in pregnancy is not fully known.
• This medicine may pass into breast milk. Talk to your healthcare professional about the best choice for you and your baby if you are breastfeeding.

• Tell your healthcare professional if you have kidney problems or are on dialysis.
• Tell them if you have an intolerance to certain sugars, since this medicine contains sucrose.
• Tell them if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• Tell them if you have ever had an allergic reaction to fosfomycin or to sulphites.
• Tell them about all other medicines you take, especially anything for gout or for stomach and digestion problems.

Important warnings

• This medicine can rarely cause a serious allergic reaction with swelling of the lips, throat, or tongue, trouble breathing, or a fast drop in blood pressure. Get help right away if this happens.
• This medicine contains sulphites, which in rare cases can cause severe allergic reactions and breathing problems, especially if you are sensitive to sulphites.
• Like other antibiotics, this medicine can cause severe diarrhea due to an intestinal infection called C. difficile colitis, which can start during treatment or even weeks afterward.
• This medicine may cause dizziness, so be careful until you know how it affects you.

• Diarrhea, which is usually mild and goes away on its own.
• Vaginal irritation or infection.
• Nausea or an upset stomach.
• Headache.
• Dizziness.
• Feeling weak or tired.
• Back pain.
• A runny nose.
• Skin rash.
• Belly pain.
• Sore throat.
• Menstrual cramps.

When to get emergency help

• Swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat, or sudden trouble breathing.
• A rash, hives, or feeling faint along with a fast heartbeat or trouble breathing.
• Watery or bloody diarrhea that is severe or does not go away, especially with fever or stomach pain.

When to contact a healthcare professional

• If your symptoms have not improved by the fourth day after treatment.
• If your bladder infection symptoms come back after treatment.
• If you develop new or worsening back pain, fever, or chills, which could mean the infection has spread to your kidneys.
• If any side effect bothers you or does not go away.

• Tell your healthcare professional about every medicine, vitamin, and natural health product you take.
• A gout medicine called probenecid should not be taken with this medicine, since it can make it less effective.
• A medicine for digestive problems called metoclopramide can also make this medicine less effective.
• Take this medicine on an empty stomach, since food can reduce how well it works.
• You do not need to avoid antacids or calcium supplements with this medicine.

• Store the sachet at room temperature, between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius.
• Keep out of reach and sight of children.
• Mix and use the whole sachet right away; do not save any leftover mixed solution for later.
• Return any unused sachets to your pharmacy for safe disposal.