When would Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin) be considered to treat my infection?

Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin) can treat skin infections caused by certain bacteria species called *Staphylococcus aureus* and *Streptococcus pyogenes*. It's also typically used for people who are confirmed to have a severe (or complicated) skin infection from [resistant bacteria](https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/about.html) that will respond to Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin) or in people with [allergies to penicillin antibiotics](https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/59/2/e10/2895845). Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin) [isn't used often](https://aricjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13756-020-00714-9), because other newer antibiotics may have fewer interactions with medications and potentially lower cost than Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin).

What are the common side effects of Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin)?

The most common [side effects](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=28f698df-b584-4455-2e94-6efc41313960) of Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin) include pain, inflammation, and swelling at the injection site. Less common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, itching, headache, and general pain.

Synercid

Q: What is Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin) used for?

Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin) is approved for the treatment of complicated [skin and soft tissue infections](https://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/0915/p474.html) caused by certain [Gram-positive bacteria](https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/infections/bacterial-infections-gram-positive-bacteria/overview-of-gram-positive-bacteria?query=gram%20positive%20rod). Additionally, the [Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)](https://www.idsociety.org/practice-guideline/healthcare-associated-ventriculitis-and-meningitis/) has suggested that Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin) may be an option for the treatment of certain infections in the brain that can't be treated with other antibiotics. Although it isn't FDA approved for this purpose, professional organizations like the IDSA have recommended it based on clinical evidence.

Q: How does Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin) work?

Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin) is a combination of two antibiotics. __Quinupristin__ and __dalfopristin__ both block the bacteria from making important proteins for growth and sustaining life. This causes the bacteria to be unable to survive.

Q: How is Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin) given?

Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin) is typically given as an injection through the veins (intravenously or IV) by a healthcare provider in the hospital. Each infusion takes about 1 hour.

Q: How much Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin) will I receive?

The dose will depend on your body weight. The [typical dose](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=28f698df-b584-4455-2e94-6efc41313960) in adults and children 12 years or older is 7.5 mg/kg of body weight given through the veins (intravenously or IV) every 12 hours. The typical length of treatment for complicated skin and soft tissue infections is 7 days, but your provider might extend this to a longer period of time depending on how your infection is responding to the medication.

quinupristin / dalfopristin

Used for Skin Infection

Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin) is an injectable, combination antibiotic that treats skin infections caused by certain bacteria. This medication works well against some resistant bacterial infections, or infections that are hard to get rid of even with the use of other antibiotics. But Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin) isn't commonly used today, because it can interact with a lot of other medications.

Reviewed by:

Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD

Last reviewed on May 9, 2022

What is Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin)?

What is Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin) used for?

Bacterial skin and soft tissue infections in adults

Drug facts

Common Brands	Synercid
Drug Class	Antibiotic
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	No lower-cost generic available
Availability	Prescription only

Common Brands

Synercid

Drug Class

Antibiotic

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

No lower-cost generic available

Availability

Prescription only

Common questions about Synercid

Synercid is approved for the treatment of complicated skin and soft tissue infections caused by certain Gram-positive bacteria. Additionally, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has suggested that Synercid may be an option for the treatment of certain infections in the brain that can't be treated with other antibiotics. Although it isn't FDA approved for this purpose, professional organizations like the IDSA have recommended it based on clinical evidence.

Synercid can treat skin infections caused by certain bacteria species called Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. It's also typically used for people who are confirmed to have a severe (or complicated) skin infection from resistant bacteria that will respond to Synercid or in people with allergies to penicillin antibiotics. Synercid isn't used often, because other newer antibiotics may have fewer interactions with medications and potentially lower cost than Synercid.

Synercid is a combination of two antibiotics. Quinupristin and dalfopristin both block the bacteria from making important proteins for growth and sustaining life. This causes the bacteria to be unable to survive.

Synercid is typically given as an injection through the veins (intravenously or IV) by a healthcare provider in the hospital. Each infusion takes about 1 hour.

The dose will depend on your body weight. The typical dose in adults and children 12 years or older is 7.5 mg/kg of body weight given through the veins (intravenously or IV) every 12 hours. The typical length of treatment for complicated skin and soft tissue infections is 7 days, but your provider might extend this to a longer period of time depending on how your infection is responding to the medication.

The most common side effects of Synercid include pain, inflammation, and swelling at the injection site. Less common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, itching, headache, and general pain.

Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin) dosage

Typical dosage for Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin)

Interactions between Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin) and other drugs

Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

What are alternatives to Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin)?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin). Compare a few possible alternatives below.

Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin)

Used for:

Bacterial skin and soft tissue infections in adults

View prices

Vancomycin (Vancocin)

Used for:

Infectious diarrhea caused by Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)
Gut inflammation (enterocolitis) caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)

$46.51Lowest GoodRx priceView prices

Daptomycin (Cubicin)

Used for:

Skin infections (e.g., cellulitis)
Bloodstream infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus ("staph")

View prices

What is Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin)?

What is Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin) used for?

Drug facts

Common questions about Synercid

What is Synercid used for?

When would Synercid be considered to treat my infection?

How does Synercid work?

How is Synercid given?

How much Synercid will I receive?

What are the common side effects of Synercid?

Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin) dosage

Typical dosage for Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin)

Interactions between Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin) and other drugs

What are alternatives to Synercid (quinupristin / dalfopristin)?

Common questions about Synercid

What is Synercid used for?

When would Synercid be considered to treat my infection?

How does Synercid work?

How is Synercid given?

How much Synercid will I receive?

What are the common side effects of Synercid?