Sword

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Sword

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Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Sword

Property Description
Active ingredient Prulifloxacin
Form Tablet (Oral)
Pharmacological class Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic
General purpose Treating systemic bacterial infections
Origin Synthetic organic compound

What Type of Medicine is Sword (Prulifloxacin)?

Sword is the commercial name for the prescription-only synthetic anti-infective medication whose sole active component is Prulifloxacin. This compound is classified within the fluoroquinolone antibiotic class, a specialized group of quinolone agents. Unlike many older antibiotics, Prulifloxacin is typically designated for use in adult patients suffering from infections that require systemic treatment. The drug is supplied as a tablet for oral administration, utilizing pharmaceutical excipients as its base formulation. The compound is characterized by its broad-spectrum effectiveness against various bacterial pathogens.


Composition and Unique Action: The Prulifloxacin Prodrug

The key to the drug's composition is that Prulifloxacin functions as a prodrug; it is an inactive substance administered to generate the potent, active therapeutic agent inside the body. Prulifloxacin is rapidly converted via metabolism into its active form, ulifloxacin, which is the molecule that directly performs the bactericidal action against pathogens. Ulifloxacin is noted for its efficacy against pathogens, including those resistant to older quinolones.


General Purpose: Why is This Antibiotic Used?

The overarching purpose of the medication is to achieve the resolution of systemic bacterial infections by killing the invading microorganisms. This broad-spectrum agent is typically used in scenarios where a targeted, powerful bacterial clearance is required. The active metabolite, ulifloxacin, specifically inhibits the bacterial enzymes DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, thereby disrupting the pathogen's ability to reproduce and repair its genetic material. This targeted intervention against core bacterial machinery makes the drug a tool for eradicating infection throughout the body.

Regulatory References

  1. Restrictions on use of quinolone and fluoroquinolone antibiotics

What side effects are possible with Sword?

Possible side effects and safety information

The safety profile of Sword (Prulifloxacin), a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, is governed by official regulatory classifications that detail expected adverse reactions and serious, documented safety constraints.


Adverse Reaction Scope

The most commonly documented adverse reactions include effects on the Gastrointestinal System (e.g., nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain) and the Nervous System (e.g., headache, dizziness). Reactions are classified according to official frequency categories, such as Common and Rare, in regulatory documents.

Serious Adverse Reactions officially listed for this class include disabling and potentially irreversible effects. These involve: Tendinitis and Tendon Rupture (which can occur in the Achilles tendon and appear months after treatment cessation), Peripheral Neuropathy (nerve damage characterized by pain, burning, tingling, or weakness), and severe Central Nervous System effects (e.g., confusion, seizures). There is also a documented risk of Prolongation of the QT Interval (a serious cardiac risk) and increased risk of Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection.


Safety Constraints and Populations

Official labeling defines specific constraints and population risks:

  • Time-Related Patterns: Serious adverse reactions can be observed after the first dose, or in the case of tendon damage, may be delayed for several months after stopping the medication.
  • Older Adults: This group has an increased risk of tendon injury, severe hypoglycemia, and QT prolongation.
  • Contraindications: The medicine is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any fluoroquinolone antibiotic.
  • Co-Administration Risk: Concomitant use with corticosteroids is generally avoided due to a significantly increased risk of tendinopathy and tendon rupture.

Overdose and Emergency Response

The regulatory guidance for Sword (Prulifloxacin) overdose, also referred to as acute superdose, mandates that immediate medical attention must be sought if excessive consumption is suspected. The officially documented manifestations primarily include acute gastrointestinal effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

Management is procedural and supportive, as no specific antidote is known to reverse the drug's effects. Official instructions stipulate that the stomach should be emptied immediately through gastric lavage or induced vomiting, followed by careful observation and the provision of symptomatic and supportive treatment.

An essential element of management is the monitoring of the cardiovascular system. Due to the association of the fluoroquinolone class with cardiotoxicity, regulators require ECG monitoring to be undertaken in all cases of superdose because of the possibility of QT interval prolongation. Furthermore, standard elimination methods such as haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are officially documented as being ineffective for the removal of the active compound.

Therapeutic Uses of Sword

The medication is commonly used across therapeutic domains where its antimicrobial activity is applicable. It is generally applied when supportive management is needed in specific contexts of bacterial disease.

Sword is considered relevant in conditions characterized by periods of heightened symptoms, including infections of the lower urinary tract (UTIs, prostatitis), acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (AECB), acute bacterial rhinosinusitis, and certain infectious diarrheas like traveler's diarrhea.

It is applied in scenarios where additional management of discomfort is required, especially when symptoms related to inflammatory or irritative states interfere with daily functioning.


Quick Fact: Relief for Acute Discomfort

A key benefit is that the medication supports the management of the underlying condition, which generally contributes to easing day-to-day comfort during symptomatic periods. This provides supportive relief that helps manage the symptom load in conditions presenting with systemic or localized discomfort. Sword is often used during phases when symptoms become more noticeable and short-term symptomatic assistance is needed.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Eligibility for Sword (Prulifloxacin)

Sword is an antibiotic approved only for use in adult patients (18 years and older).


Populations for Whom Use is Contraindicated

Use of Prulifloxacin is strictly prohibited (contraindicated) in several patient groups, as defined in official labeling:

  • Pediatric Population: Children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
  • Hypersensitivity: Patients with known allergy to Prulifloxacin or any other quinolone class antibiotic.
  • Tendon History: Individuals with a history of tendon disorders (e.g., tendinitis or rupture) related to prior fluoroquinolone use.
  • Neurological Conditions: Patients with epilepsy or a history of seizure disorders.
  • Reproductive Status: Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Populations with Restricted or Conditional Use

Use requires caution in the following groups due to specific risks associated with this class of medicine:

  • Older Adults: Increased risk of tendon disorders, especially when taking systemic corticosteroids concurrently.
  • Renal Impairment: Not generally recommended in cases of severe kidney impairment (Creatinine Clearance < 30 mL/min).
  • Comorbidities: Patients with a known risk of QT interval prolongation or Myasthenia Gravis.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

Sword (Prulifloxacin) interacts with several medicinal products and substance categories, primarily through mechanisms that alter drug exposure or result in heightened pharmacodynamic risks, as documented in regulatory information.

Interaction Scope

Interaction Type Interacting Substance/Category Official Restriction or Outcome
Absorption Interference Multivalent Cation-Containing Products (e.g., antacids, iron supplements, calcium preparations) Co-administration reduces the absorption of Prulifloxacin, necessitating a timing separation rule.
Decreased Clearance Theophylline Co-administration results in decreased clearance of Theophylline, requiring monitoring of plasma levels.
Pharmacodynamic Augmentation Fenbufen (NSAID) Increased risk of convulsions is documented.
Pharmacodynamic Augmentation Systemic Corticosteroids Avoided due to significantly increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture, particularly in older patients.
Pharmacodynamic Augmentation Oral Anticoagulants (e.g., Warfarin) Enhances the effect of the anticoagulant, requiring coagulation monitoring.
Pharmacodynamic Augmentation Drugs that Prolong the QT Interval Not recommended due to increased risk of QTc prolongation.

Timing-Based Administration Rules

To prevent the loss of antibiotic effectiveness due to absorption interference, regulatory documents mandate that Sword must be administered 2 hours before or at least 4 hours after the administration of multivalent cation-containing products like antacids, Cimetidine, or preparations containing iron and calcium.

Population-Specific Notes

The interaction risk leading to potential hypoglycemia is noted for diabetic patients concurrently treated with hypoglycemic agents.

Mechanism of Action

Targeting Core Bacterial Genetic Machinery

The mechanism of Sword relies on its active form, ulifloxacin, directly targeting two essential bacterial enzymes: DNA Gyrase and Topoisomerase IV. Ulifloxacin operates as a molecular inhibitor, binding to these enzymes while they are attached to the bacterial DNA, thereby poisoning them and preventing the re-ligation of cut DNA strands. This action blocks the function of the pathogen's core genetic machinery.


Triggering Catastrophic Bactericidal Cascade

The molecular inhibition triggers a rapid mechanistic cascade resulting in the accumulation of irreversible, lethal double-strand DNA breaks inside the bacteria. This widespread genetic damage blocks the pathogen’s ability to replicate, transcribe, or repair itself, initiating a process that culminates in bactericidal cell death. The physiological consequence of this cellular destruction is a systemic decrease in the population of susceptible bacterial cells.


Pathway Limitations and Resistance Mechanisms

The mechanism is constrained by specific biological limitations developed by bacteria. These include genetic mutations in the target enzymes (DNA Gyrase/Topoisomerase IV) that reduce drug binding affinity, or the activation of bacterial efflux pumps that actively expel ulifloxacin from the cell. Such biological adaptations reduce the molecule's concentration or binding affinity at the target site.

Dosage and Administration Information

Administration Principles and Dosage

Sword (Prulifloxacin) is formally designated as an oral tablet used for systemic administration. The standard administration pattern is once daily (q.d.), which ensures consistent drug levels throughout the prescribed course. The tablet must be taken whole and swallowed with water; it should not be crushed, split, or chewed. The typical prescribed dose is 600 mg per day for most approved usage patterns.


Course Duration and Timing Constraints

The required length of treatment is subject to the specific condition, following short-course therapy principles that range from a single 600 mg dose for uncomplicated infections up to a maximum duration of 10 days for other approved indications. If a dose is missed, the standard protocol is to take it as soon as it is remembered on that same day, unless the next scheduled dose is imminent, in which case the regimen is resumed without taking the skipped amount. Double dosing is prohibited under all circumstances.


Procedural and Population Adjustments

Specific procedural constraints are mandated to optimize absorption. The tablet must be taken 2 to 4 hours apart from the consumption of any products containing multivalent cations, which include antacids, iron supplements, and calcium-fortified beverages. While the drug can be taken with or without food, this timing separation is a critical use requirement. Usage is generally established for adults, and a high-level adjustment to 300 mg once daily is required for patients who have severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance below 30 mL/min).

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Sword (Prulifloxacin)

Evidence for Use in Complicated Lower Urinary Tract Infections (cUTIs)

The available research for Sword's evaluation in complicated lower urinary tract infections includes Phase III Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and comparative studies. These studies were structured to compare Sword against other agents and were conducted in adult patients whose infections often involve underlying urological issues. Researchers monitored outcomes, including the degree of bacterial clearance from the body (microbiological eradication rate) and the overall clinical outcome. Findings describe patterns of symptom resolution in the observed populations. However, due to the complexity of defining cUTIs, the results apply only to the specific populations studied, and long-term follow-up beyond the short period is not consistently characterized in the main trial data.

Evidence for Use in Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis (AECB)

Research for Sword's evaluation in flare-ups of chronic bronchitis also includes Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and observational studies. These research scenarios explored short-term symptom changes in adult patients with established COPD experiencing a period of increased symptom activity. Studies monitored outcomes related to physical discomfort, examining the degree of bacterial clearance and tracking changes measured during the study period, categorized as clinical success. The results apply mainly to non-hospitalized AECB cases, and data for severely ill patients who may require intensive care is limited. Sustained reduction in the frequency of future flare-ups is not well characterized.

Evidence in Special Populations and Uncertainties

Sword was also evaluated in studies for Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis (CBP) and infectious diarrheas, where the study of microbiological eradication and symptom monitoring was explored. For these conditions, sample sizes were often modest, and the evidence quality varies across studies. Across all indications, data for long-term follow-up remain limited for most outcomes. Comparative evidence is often lacking for specific patient subgroups with multiple complex comorbidities, and research does not determine whether an individual will respond similarly to the group patterns observed in trials.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Sword (FAQ)

Q: Is Sword considered a first-line treatment for its primary indication?

Due to the potential risk of serious side effects associated with the fluoroquinolone class, regulatory bodies indicate that the use of this medicine is generally reserved. Official documents describe that its use is recommended for situations where other commonly indicated antibiotics or alternative treatments are not suitable.


Q: Does Sword have the potential to cause changes in mood or behavior?

Official safety warnings for this class of medicine confirm documented risks of mental health side effects. These can include feelings of nervousness, agitation, anxiety, memory impairment, confusion, and delirium. This information is included in the official prescribing documents.


Q: Can taking certain vitamins or herbal supplements affect how Sword works?

Regulatory information emphasizes that co-administration with products containing multivalent cations (such as iron or calcium supplements) necessitates a timing separation protocol. This protocol is in place because these cations can significantly decrease the drug's absorption. Specific details on the interaction of all herbal supplements are not universally included in the official prescribing documents.


Q: How quickly should a patient expect to feel the effects of Sword?

According to pharmacokinetic studies, the medicine is rapidly absorbed after ingestion. It is converted into its active therapeutic form, ulifloxacin, which typically reaches its maximum concentration in the blood about two hours after administration.


Q: How long does the active ingredient of Sword stay in the body after the last dose?

The active compound, ulifloxacin, is known to have a long elimination half-life. This extended presence in the body is what permits the medicine to be described for once-daily dosing.


Q: What pre-existing health issues (like kidney or liver problems) are listed as contraindications for Sword?

Official documents state that use is contraindicated if there is a known allergy to the drug class, a history of quinolone-related tendon problems, or a history of epilepsy/seizure disorders. For severe kidney impairment, a high-level adjustment to the prescribed amount is noted in official guidance. Furthermore, the safety and effectiveness for patients with severe liver impairment have not been formally evaluated.


Q: Does Sword require any routine blood tests or monitoring while a patient is taking it?

Routine blood tests are not generally required for all patients taking the medicine. However, specific laboratory monitoring is mandated by official documents when the drug is taken alongside certain other medicines. For instance, official documents note the need for monitoring of coagulation levels for concurrent use with blood thinners.


Q: What are the non-active ingredients or excipients contained in the Sword tablet/capsule?

The full composition of the tablet, including all non-active ingredients (called excipients), is detailed in the official prescribing information. Regulatory agencies require this complete list to be included in the product information.


Q: What activities, such as driving or operating heavy machinery, are officially restricted while taking Sword?

Because the drug is associated with adverse effects on the nervous system, such as dizziness, confusion, and other mental disturbances, official guidance advises caution. Documents indicate that activities requiring complete mental alertness, such as driving or operating heavy machinery, may need to be avoided until the individual knows how the drug affects them.


Q: What is the mechanism by which the body breaks down and eliminates Sword?

The medicine is considered a prodrug, which means it is an inactive form that is rapidly changed by the body's natural metabolic processes into its potent, active component, ulifloxacin. The active compound is then gradually eliminated from the body, and its long half-life supports once-daily dosing.


Q: Are there any specific dietary restrictions or food interactions mentioned for Sword?

Official information confirms a number of restrictions. Official guidelines require separation protocols for the tablet's administration relative to products containing multivalent cations like iron and calcium. Furthermore, the co-ingestion of milk is specifically noted in regulatory information to reduce the drug's absorption and elimination.


Q: Is it true that certain official documents describe a possible risk of sun sensitivity with Sword?

Yes, the official regulatory safety documents for this medicine describe phototoxicity as a documented, though rare, adverse effect. Phototoxicity refers to a severe reaction that can occur on the skin following exposure to sunlight or UV light.


Q: Does the official information for Sword mention any impact on appetite or weight changes?

Yes, official information for this medicine documents an impact on appetite as an adverse effect. Specifically, anorexia (a loss of appetite) has been documented in official regulatory listings, categorized as an uncommon effect.


Q: How is the safety of Sword tracked and monitored after it has been released to the public?

Like all medicines approved by regulatory bodies, Sword is subject to continuous safety surveillance. This process is known as pharmacovigilance, where new safety information is collected and tracked once the medicine is available for use by the general public.

How should Sword be stored and disposed of?

Official Storage and Disposal Requirements

The storage and disposal instructions for Sword are defined by government regulatory documents to ensure product stability and public safety. These instructions must be strictly followed.

Storage Conditions

Requirement Category Official Statement
Temperature Range Store at controlled room temperature, typically between 20°C and 25°C.
Protection Rules Keep in the original container to protect the medicine from light and moisture.
Prohibited Storage Do not freeze or store above the maximum stated temperature (e.g., 25°C or 30°C).
Child Safety Keep the medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Disposal and Stability

If the product requires mixing or is opened, note the in-use stability period; the product must be used or discarded within the defined timeframe (e.g., 24 hours). For disposal of expired or unused product, consult official label instructions, which typically recommend utilizing a drug take-back program or following federal guidance for safe home disposal to prevent environmental release.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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