Gatifloxacin (By Mouth)

Gatifloxacin (ga-ti-FLOKS-a-sin)

Treats infections that are caused by bacteria. This medicine is a fluoroquinolone (floor-oh-KWIN-oh-lone) antibiotic.

Brand Name(s):

Tequin, Tequin Teq-Paqs
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to gatifloxacin or to similar medicines such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro®), enoxacin (Penetrex®), levofloxacin (Levaquin®), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin™), moxifloxacin (Avelox®), norfloxacin (Noroxin®), ofloxacin (Floxin®), or trovafloxacin (Trovan®). This medicine should not be given to children.

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to. Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon.
• You may take your medicine with food or milk. To help prevent kidney problems, drink extra fluids while you are using this medicine.
• Never share your medicine with anyone.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep this medicine away from children

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using arsenic trioxide (Trisenox®), blood thinners (Coumadin®), dofetilide (Tikosyn®), erythromycin, Lanoxin®, probenecid, theophylline, diabetes medicine taken by mouth (such as glyburide, Amaryl®, Actos™, Avandia®, Glucotrol®, Glucophage®), medicine for depression or mental illness (such as amitriptyline, imipramine, Haldol®, Prozac®, Mellaril®, Serentil®, Geodon™), pain or arthritis medicine (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen, Advil®, Relafen®), or medicines to treat abnormal heart rhythm such as (amiodarone, bretylium, disopyramide, quinidine, ibutilide, procainamide, or sotalol).
• If you are also using antacids, multivitamins (with iron or zinc), sucralfate (Carafate®), or didanosine (Videx®) powder or chewable/buffered tablets, take these medicines at least 4 hours before or 4 hours after you take gatifloxacin. Avoid caffeine (coffee, soda, chocolate) while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a history of heart disease, heart rhythm problems, kidney disease, hypokalemia (low blood potassium), stroke, or seizure disorder (such as epilepsy), or a family history of a heart rhythm condition called Long QT Syndrome.
• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.
• Call your doctor if you have pain, swelling, or tearing of a tendon, such as in the back of your knee or ankle, in your shoulder or elbow, or in your hand or wrist. You may need to stop taking the medicine.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in face or hands, swelling or tingling in the mouth or throat, tightness in chest, trouble breathing
• Chest pain, or fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
• Diarrhea
• Seizures
• Unusual bleeding or bruising, skin rash, redness, blistering, or peeling
• Yellow eyes or skin

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Dizziness, nervousness, anxiety, confusion, or agitation
• Muscle or joint pain
• Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation
• Sores or white patches in your mouth or throat
• Vaginal itching or discharge

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.