Biology Disease
Drugs and Medicines

Drug Name Gatifloxacin oral

Gatifloxacin oral Drug Category GATIFLOXACIN - ORAL

Gatifloxacin oral Drug Information

IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug. GATIFLOXACIN - ORAL (gat-ih-FLOX-uh-sin) COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Tequin USES: This medication is a quinolone antibiotic used to treat certain types of infections (e.g., respiratory tract infections, sinus infections, and urinary tract infections). HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth, generally once daily, as directed by your doctor. Drink plenty of fluids while using this drug, unless instructed otherwise. The length of treatment depends on your condition and response to therapy. Take this medication 4 hours before taking any medications containing magnesium or aluminum. Some examples include quinapril, didanosine, vitamins/minerals, and antacids. Sucralfate, bismuth subsalicylate, iron, and zinc are also included. These medications bind with gatifloxacin preventing its full absorption. Take this medication exactly as prescribed. Do not exceed the recommended dose of this medication. Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. This is done by taking the medication at evenly spaced intervals (e.g., every 24 hours). Continue to take this medication until the full-prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medicine too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow, resulting in a relapse of the infection. SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, mild dizziness or headache may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of these unlikely but serious side effects: white patches in the mouth, unusual vaginal itching or discharge. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of these very unlikely but serious side effects: chest pain, seizures, mental/mood changes, muscle/tendon pain or swelling. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: fainting, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat. Allergic reactions to this drug are unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if they occur. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. PRECAUTIONS: This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: history of a certain heart rhythm problem (i.e., QTc prolongation), low blood potassium (hypokalemia). Tell your doctor your medical history, including: allergies (especially to quinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin), kidney disease, diabetes, seizures, tendon problems (e.g., tendonitis, bursitis), heart problems (e.g., bradycardia, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction), brain disorders (e.g., cerebral atherosclerosis, tumors or increased intracranial pressure). This drug may make you dizzy. Use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcohol intake because it can intensify the dizziness effect of this medication. Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in a secondary infection (e.g., oral, bladder or vaginal yeast infection). Patients with diabetes may experience changes in blood sugar due to infection or use of this medication. Monitor your blood glucose levels frequently while using this medication and notify your doctor promptly if you experience symptoms of high or low blood sugar. Symptoms of high blood sugar include increased thirst and urination. Symptoms of low blood sugar include dizziness, sweating, hunger and fast pulse. Though gatifloxacin has not been shown to make skin sensitive to the sun, other drugs very similar to this one have. Therefore, avoid excessive sunlight and sun lamps. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information. This medication should be used with caution in children less than 18 years of age. This medication may cause joint or bone problems in young children. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, especially of: drugs for diabetes (e.g., glyburide, insulin), NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen), drugs that decrease potassium levels such as certain "water pills" (e.g., furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), digoxin, cisapride, probenecid, warfarin, erythromycin, quinapril, didanosine, vitamins/minerals (e.g., magnesium, aluminum, iron, zinc), antacids, sucralfate, bismuth subsalicylate. Other drugs besides gatifloxacin which may affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation in the EKG) include dofetilide, pimozide, quinidine, sotalol, thioridazine, ziprasidone, procainamide, and sparfloxacin among others. QTc prolongation can infrequently result in serious, rarely fatal, irregular heartbeats. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. Ask for instructions about whether you need to stop any other QTc-prolonging drugs you may be using in order to minimize the risk of this effect. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. Do not use this medication for another infection, unless directed to do so by your doctor. Laboratory and/or medical tests may be performed to monitor your progress. MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up. STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.