Gatifloxacin eye solution

What is Gatifloxacin eye solution?

GATIFLOXACIN (Zymar™) is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Gatifloxacin kills certain bacteria or stops their growth. Gatifloxacin eye solution treats conjunctivitis caused by these bacteria. Generic gatifloxacin eye solution is not yet available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive Gatifloxacin eye solution?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• an unusual reaction to Gatifloxacin or other fluoroquinolone antibiotics, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Gatifloxacin eye solution is only for use in the eye. Do not take by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Wash hands before and after each use. Tilt your head back slightly and pull your lower eyelid down with your index finger to form a pouch. Try not to touch the tip of the dropper to your eye, fingertips, or any other surface. Squeeze the prescribed number of drops into the pouch. Close the eye gently to spread the drops. Your vision may blur for a few minutes. Use your doses at regular intervals. Do not use your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with Gatifloxacin eye solution?

Do not use any other eye products without telling your prescriber or health care professional.

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking Gatifloxacin eye solution?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 2 to 3 days.

Do not wear contact lenses while you are being treated with gatifloxacin eye solution (Zymar™).

If your eyes are more sensitive to light, wear sunglasses.

What side effects may I notice from receiving Gatifloxacin?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional immediately:

• blurred vision that does not go away

• burning, stinging, or itching of the eyes or eyelids

• redness, blistering, swelling, or pain

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• blurred vision

• change in taste

• dry eyes

• eye discharge

• headache

• red eyes

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 25 degrees C (59 and 77 degrees F). Protect from freezing. Throw away any unused eye solution after the expiration date.

Gatifloxacin injection

What is gatifloxacin injection?

GATIFLOXACIN (Tequin™) is an antibiotic. It kills certain bacteria or stops their growth. It is used to treat bronchitis, kidney and other urinary tract infections, pneumonia, sinusitis, and certain sexually transmitted diseases. Generic gatifloxacin injection is not yet available.

NOTE: This drug is discontinued in the United States.

What should my health care professional know before I take gatifloxacin?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• diabetes or problems with high or low blood sugar

• heart disease or heart rhythm disturbances

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• long exposure to sunlight (working outdoors)

• seizures (convulsions)

• stomach problems (especially colitis)

• stroke

• taking diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)

• tendon or joint pain

• other chronic conditions

• an unusual or allergic reaction to gatifloxacin, other fluoroquinolone antibiotics, or other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Gatifloxacin is for slow infusion into a vein. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Use your doses at regular intervals. Do not use your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop using except on your prescriber's advice.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with gatifloxacin?

• arsenic trioxide

• astemizole

• bepridil

• certain heart medications for irregular rhythm (e.g., amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, flecainide, ibutilide, quinidine, procainamide, sotalol)

• certain medications for depression or other mental problems (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants, amoxapine, maprotiline, phenothiazines, haloperidol, pimozide, risperidone, sertindole, and ziprasidone)

• cisapride

• clarithromycin

• cyclobenzaprine

• cyclosporine

• digoxin

• didanosine (ddI)

• diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide which can cause low potassium levels

• dolasetron

• doxercalciferol

• droperidol

• erythromycin

• levomethadyl

• medicines for diabetes

• NSAIDs such as Advil®, Aleve®, ibuprofen, Motrin®, naproxen

• pentamidine

• probenecid

• probucol

• retinoid products such as tretinoin (Retin-A®, Renova®) or isotretinoin (Accutan®)

• terfenadine

• troleandomycin

• warfarin

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking gatifloxacin?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 2 to 3 days. If you get an unusual reaction stop taking gatifloxacin and call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.

If you have diabetes, you should not take gatifloxacin. Gatifloxacin may cause alterations in blood sugar that may be particularly harmful to patients with diabetes. Certain other patients at risk for either high or low blood sugar may need to have their blood sugar carefully monitored while taking this drug.

If you notice symptoms such as pain, burning, tingling, numbness and/or weakness, stop taking gatifloxacin and contact your healthcare provider immediately.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how gatifloxacin affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient.

Keep out of the sun, or wear protective clothing outdoors and use a sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or sun tanning beds or booths.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking gatifloxacin.

What side effects may I notice from taking gatifloxacin?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

Rare or uncommon:

• confusion

• difficulty breathing

• irregular heartbeat, palpitations or chest pain

• joint, muscle or tendon pain

• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

• seizures

• severe or watery diarrhea

• skin rash, itching

• swelling of the face or neck

• tingling in hands or feet

• tremor or restlessness

• unusual tiredness or weakness

• vision changes

• vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation or diarrhea

• difficulty sleeping

• dizziness or drowsiness

• headache

• nausea or stomach upset

• redness at site of injection

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store unopened vials and premix bags at controlled room temperature. Do not freeze. Store diluted solutions at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Throw away any unused portion left in the vial or premix bags. Discard medicine after the expiration date.

Gatifloxacin oral suspension

What is gatifloxacin oral suspension?

GATIFLOXACIN (Tequin™) is an antibiotic. It kills certain bacteria or stops their growth. It is used to treat bronchitis, kidney and other urinary tract infections, pneumonia, sinusitis, and certain sexually transmitted diseases. Generic gatifloxacin oral suspension is not yet available.

NOTE: This drug is discontinued in the United States.

What should my health care professional know before I take gatifloxacin?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• diabetes or problems with high or low blood sugar

• heart disease or heart rhythm disturbances

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• long exposure to sunlight (working outdoors)

• seizures (convulsions)

• stomach problems (especially colitis)

• stroke

• taking diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)

• tendon or joint pain

• other chronic conditions

• an unusual or allergic reaction to gatifloxacin, other fluoroquinolone antibiotics, or other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take gatifloxacin suspension by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Before using, gently mix the suspension well by turning the bottle upside down 3 or 5 times; do not shake the bottle. Use a specially marked spoon, or container to measure the medicine. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one; household spoons are not always accurate. You can take this medicine with or without food. Do not take with magnesium/aluminum antacids, sucralfate, Videx® (didanosine) chewable/buffered tablets or pediatric powder, or with other products containing iron, magnesium, or zinc. Gatifloxacin may be taken 4 hours before taking these products. Try to take your dose at at the same time each day. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop using except on your prescriber's advice. Ask your prescriber or health care professional if you have any questions.

This medicine is not for use in children.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with gatifloxacin?

• aluminum salts

• antacids

• arsenic trioxide

• astemizole

• bepridil

• calcium salts

• certain heart medications for irregular rhythm (e.g., amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, ibutilide, quinidine, procainamide, sotalol)

• certain medicines for depression or mental problems (e.g., amoxapine, haloperidol, maprotiline, phenothiazines, risperidone, sertindole, ziprasidone)

• cisapride

• clarithromycin

• cyclosporine

• didanosine (ddI)

• digoxin

• dolasetron

• doxercalciferol

• droperidol

• erythromycin

• levomethadyl

• iron (ferrous sulfate) preparations

• magnesium salicylate

• magnesium salts

• manganese

• medicines for diabetes

• multivitamins containing calcium, iron, manganese, or zinc

• NSAIDs such as Advil®, Aleve®, ibuprofen, Motrin®, naproxen

• pentamidine

• probenecid

• probucol

• quinapril

• retinoid products such as tretinoin (Retin-A®, Renova®) or isotretinoin (Accutan®)

• sevelamer

• sucralfate

• terfenadine

• troleandomycin

• warfarin

• zinc salts

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking gatifloxacin?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 2 to 3 days. If you get an unusual reaction stop taking gatifloxacin and call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.

If you have diabetes, you should not take gatifloxacin. Gatifloxacin may cause alterations in blood sugar that may be particularly harmful to patients with diabetes. Certain other patients at risk for high or low blood sugar may need to have their blood sugar carefully monitored while taking this drug.

If you notice symptoms such as pain, burning, tingling, numbness and/or weakness, stop taking gatifloxacin and contact your healthcare provider immediately.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how gatifloxacin affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient.

Many antacids and multivitamins can interfere with absorption of gatifloxacin. This may stop gatifloxacin from working. Make sure it has been at least 4 hours since you last took gatifloxacin before taking any of these products.

Keep out of the sun, or wear protective clothing outdoors and use a sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or sun tanning beds or booths.

If you notice pain or swelling of a tendon or around a joint, stop taking gatifloxacin. Rest the affected area and call your healthcare provider. Do not exercise or resume taking gatifloxacin until your healthcare provider tells you to do so.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking gatifloxacin.

What side effects may I notice from taking gatifloxacin?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

Rare or uncommon:

• confusion

• difficulty breathing

• irregular heartbeat, palpitations or chest pain

• joint, muscle or tendon pain

• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

• seizures

• severe or watery diarrhea

• skin rash, itching

• swelling of the face or neck

• tingling in hands or feet

• tremor or restlessness

• unusual tiredness or weakness

• vision changes

• vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation or diarrhea

• difficulty sleeping

• dizziness or drowsiness

• headache

• nausea or stomach upset

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Gatifloxacin tablets

What are gatifloxacin tablets?

GATIFLOXACIN (Tequin™) is an antibiotic. It kills certain bacteria or stops their growth. It is used to treat bronchitis, kidney and other urinary tract infections, pneumonia, sinusitis, and certain sexually transmitted diseases. Generic gatifloxacin tablets are not yet available.

NOTE: This drug is discontinued in the United States.

What should my health care professional know before I take gatifloxacin?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• diabetes or problems with high or low blood sugar

• heart disease or heart rhythm disturbances

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• long exposure to sunlight (working outdoors)

• seizures (convulsions)

• stomach problems (especially colitis)

• stroke

• taking diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)

• tendon or joint pain

• other chronic conditions

• an unusual or allergic reaction to gatifloxacin, other fluoroquinolone antibiotics, or other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take gatifloxacin tablets by mouth with or without food. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow tablets whole with a full glass of water. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not take with magnesium/aluminum antacids, sucralfate, Videx® (didanosine) chewable/buffered tablets or pediatric powder, or with other products containing iron, magnesium, or zinc. Gatifloxacin may be taken 4 hours before taking these products. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.

This medicine is not for use in children.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with gatifloxacin?

• aluminum salts

• antacids

• arsenic trioxide

• astemizole

• bepridil

• calcium salts

• certain heart medications for irregular rhythm (e.g., amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, ibutilide, quinidine, procainamide, sotalol)

• certain medicines for depression or mental problems (e.g., amoxapine, haloperidol, maprotiline, phenothiazines, risperidone, sertindole, ziprasidone)

• cisapride

• clarithromycin

• cyclosporine

• didanosine (ddI)

• digoxin

• dolasetron

• doxercalciferol

• droperidol

• erythromycin

• levomethadyl

• iron (ferrous sulfate) preparations

• magnesium salicylate

• magnesium salts

• manganese

• medicines for diabetes

• multivitamins containing calcium, iron, manganese, or zinc

• NSAIDs such as Advil®, Aleve®, ibuprofen, Motrin®, naproxen

• pentamidine

• probenecid

• probucol

• quinapril

• retinoid products such as tretinoin (Retin-A®, Renova®) or isotretinoin (Accutane®)

• sevelamer

• sucralfate

• terfenadine

• troleandomycin

• warfarin

• zinc salts

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking gatifloxacin?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 2 to 3 days. If you get an unusual reaction stop taking gatifloxacin and call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.

If you have diabetes, you should not take gatifloxacin. Gatifloxacin may cause alterations in blood sugar that may be particularly harmful to patients with diabetes. Certain other patients at risk for blood sugar problems, high or low blood sugar, may need to have their blood sugar carefully monitored while taking this drug.

If you notice symptoms such as pain, burning, tingling, numbness and/or weakness, stop taking gatifloxacin and contact your healthcare provider immediately.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how gatifloxacin affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient.

Many antacids and multivitamins can interfere with absorption of gatifloxacin. This may stop gatifloxacin from working. Make sure it has been at least 4 hours since you last took gatifloxacin before taking any of these products.

Keep out of the sun, or wear protective clothing outdoors and use a sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or sun tanning beds or booths.

If you notice pain or swelling of a tendon or around a joint, stop taking gatifloxacin. Rest the affected area and call your healthcare provider. Do not exercise or resume taking gatifloxacin until your healthcare provider tells you to do so.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking gatifloxacin.

What side effects may I notice from taking gatifloxacin?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

Rare or uncommon:

• confusion

• difficulty breathing

• irregular heartbeat, palpitations or chest pain

• joint, muscle or tendon pain

• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

• seizures

• severe or watery diarrhea

• skin rash, itching

• swelling of the face or neck

• tingling in hands or feet

• tremor or restlessness

• unusual tiredness or weakness

• vision changes

• vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation or diarrhea

• difficulty sleeping

• dizziness or drowsiness

• headache

• nausea or stomach upset

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature in a tightly closed container. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.