Gatifloxacin (patient information)

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• Gatifloxacin#Patient Counseling Information

Why this medication is prescribed

Gatifloxacin is used to treat certain types of lung, sinus, skin, and urinary tract infections caused by bacteria. Gatifloxacin is also used to treat certain types of gonorrhea infections (a sexually transmitted disease). Gatifloxacin is in a class of antibiotics called fluroquinolones. It works by killing the bacteria that cause infection. Gatifloxacin will not work against colds, flu, or other viral infections.

How this medication should be used

Gatifloxacin comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food once a day for 1 to 14 days. Take gatifloxacin at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take gatifloxacin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow the tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.

Take gatifloxacin until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop taking gatifloxacin too soon or if you skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

You should begin to feel better soon after you begin your treatment with gatifloxacin. If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

Other uses for this medicine

Gatifloxacin may be used to help treat or prevent infection in people who were or may have been exposed to anthrax spores in the air. Gatifloxacin is also sometimes used with other medications to treat tuberculosis (TB; an infection that may affect the lungs and other parts of the body). Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Special precautions

Before taking gatifloxacin:

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to gatifloxacin (Tequin, Zymar) or other quinolone antibiotics including cinoxacin (Cinobac) (not available in the United States), ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan, Cipro), enoxacin (Penetrex) (not available in the United States), gemifloxacin (Factive), levofloxacin (Iquix, Levaquin, Quixin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox, Vigamox), nalidixic acid (NegGram), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin, Ocuflox), sparfloxacin (Zagam), or trovafloxacin and alatrofloxacin combination (Trovan) (not available in the United States); any other medications; or any of the ingredients in gatifloxacin tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: certain other antibiotics, including erythromycin (E.E.S., others); anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); antidepressants ('mood elevators'); antipsychotics (medications for mental illness); cisapride (Propulsid) (not available in the United States); diuretics ('water pills') including furosemide (Lasix) and hydrochlorothiazide (Diurel, others); certain medications to control irregular heartbeat including amiodarone (Cordarone), digoxin (Digitek, Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin); disopyramide (Norpace), dofetilide (Tikosyn), procainamide (Pronestyl),quinidine (Quinidex), and sotalol (Betapace); non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); probenecid (Benemid); or sucralfate (Carafate). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• if you are taking aluminum- or magnesium-containing antacids (some forms of Mylanta, some forms of Maalox, others); didanosine (Videx) chewable tablets or solution (liquid); or dietary supplements or multi-vitamins that contain iron (such as ferrous sulfate), magnesium, or zinc, you should take them 4 hours after you take gatifloxacin.
• tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had a prolonged QT interval (a rare heart problem that may cause fainting or irregular heartbeat); or an abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG; heart rhythm test); tell your doctor if you have or have ever had low levels of potassium in the blood;slow heartbeat; a recent heart attack. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had cerebral atherosclerosis [narrowing of blood vessels in or near the brain which can lead to stroke or mini-stroke (TIA)]; diabetes; seizures; or heart, kidney, or liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking gatifloxacin, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking gatifloxacin.
• you should know that this medication may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and drowsiness. Do not drive a car, operate machinery, or participate in other activities requiring mental alertness and coordination until you know how gatifloxacin will affect you.
• plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet light (tanning beds) and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Gatifloxacin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight. Call your doctor if you develop skin redness, blisters, or bumps.
• you should know that your blood sugar may increase or decrease during your treatment with gatifloxacin. These changes in blood sugar may be serious or life-threatening. You are most likely to experience changes in your blood sugar if you have diabetes. However, you may experience changes in your blood sugar even if you do not have diabetes. Tell your doctor if you have diabetes or any other condition that causes your blood sugar to be too high or too low. If you have diabetes, your doctor will probably tell you not to take gatifloxacin. Also tell your doctor if you are taking other medications that may affect your blood sugar, such as insulin or oral medications for diabetes including glyburide (DiaBeta, Glycron, Glynase, Micronase, in Glucovance). Talk to your doctor about how to monitor your blood sugar during your treatment and the steps to take if your blood sugar increases or decreases.
• tell your doctor if you have ever had tendonitis (swelling or tearing of a fiber that connects a bone to a muscle), if you participate in regular athletic activity, or if you are taking oral steroids such as methylprednisolone (Medrol) and prednisone (Deltasone). There is a risk that you may develop tendonitis while you are taking gatifloxacin. If you develop symptoms of tendonitis such as pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or difficulty in moving a muscle, stop taking gatifloxacin, rest, and call your doctor immediately.

Special dietary instructions

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What to do if you forget a dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Side effects

Minor side effects

This medication may cause changes in your blood sugar. You should know the symptoms of low and high blood sugar and what to do if you have these symptoms.

You may experience hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) while you are taking this medication. Your doctor will tell you what you should do if you develop hypoglycemia. He or she may tell you to check your blood sugar, eat or drink a food or beverage that contains sugar, such as hard candy or fruit juice, or get medical care. Follow these directions carefully if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia:

• shakiness
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• sweating
• nervousness or irritability
• sudden changes in behavior or mood
• headache
• numbness or tingling around the mouth
• weakness
• pale skin
• hunger
• clumsy or jerky movements

If hypoglycemia is not treated, severe symptoms may develop. Be sure that your family, friends, and other people who spend time with you know that if you have any of the following symptoms, they should get medical treatment for you immediately.

• confusion
• seizures
• loss of consciousness

Call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar):

• extreme thirst
• frequent urination
• extreme hunger
• weakness
• blurred vision

If high blood sugar is not treated, a serious, life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis could develop. Get medical care immediately if you have any of these symptoms:

• dry mouth
• nausea and vomiting
• shortness of breath
• breath that smells fruity
• decreased consciousness

Gatifloxacin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• vaginal itching, swelling, or discomfort
• stomach pain
• loss of appetite
• change in the way things taste
• heartburn
• gas
• diarrhea
• constipation
• painful urination
• sores or white patches in the mouth
• sore tongue
• tiredness
• muscle or joint pain
• leg cramps
• ringing in the ears
• dry skin
• fever
• chills
• sore throat

Severe side effects

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• rash or blisters on skin
• itching
• hives
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• hoarseness
• tightness of the throat
• fast or pounding heartbeat
• chest pain
• fainting
• depression
• paranoia (abnormal fear)
• hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• nightmares
• agitation
• anxiety
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• pain, burning, numbness, weakness, or tingling in the hands or feet
• bloody stools
• dark colored urine
• decrease in urination
• rapid weight loss
• shaking of a part of the body that you cannot control

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Storage conditions needed for this medication

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children.Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Other information

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your response to gatifloxacin.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the gatifloxacin, call your doctor.

Brand names

• Tequin®