What is gemifloxacin?
Gemifloxacin is an antibiotic in a group of drugs called fluoroquinolones
(flor-o-KWIN-o-lones). Gemifloxacin fights bacteria in the body.
Gemifloxacin is used to treat different types of bacterial infections.
Gemifloxacin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking gemifloxacin?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to gemifloxacin or similar medications such as
ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), ofloxacin (Floxin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), norfloxacin
(Noroxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), and others.
Before taking gemifloxacin, tell your doctor if you have a heart rhythm disorder, especially if you
are being treated with one of these medications: quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute),
disopyramide (Norpace), bretylium (Bretylol), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan SR), amiodarone
(Cordarone, Pacerone), or sotalol (Betapace).
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use
this medication. Before you take gemifloxacin, tell your doctor if you have:
-
a history of allergic reaction to an antibiotic;
-
joint problems;
-
kidney disease;
-
epilepsy or a history of seizures;
-
low blood levels of potassium (hypokalemia) or magnesium
(hypomagnesemia);
-
a nerve disorder or history of circulation problems; or
-
a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."
FDA pregnancy category C: It is not known whether gemifloxacin is
harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use gemifloxacin without telling your doctor if you are pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Gemifloxacin may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Gemifloxacin may cause swelling or tearing of a tendon (the fiber that connects bones to
muscles in the body), especially in the Achilles' tendon of the heel. These effects may be more likely to
occur if you are over 60, if you take an oral steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or
lung transplant. Stop taking gemifloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling,
tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints. Rest the joint until you receive
medical care or instructions.
Do not share this medication with another person (especially a child), even if they have the
same symptoms you do.
How should I take gemifloxacin?
Take gemifloxacin exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for
longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take gemifloxacin with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Drink several extra glasses of fluid
each day while you are taking gemifloxacin.
Gemifloxacin may be taken with or without food, but take it at the same time each day.
Take this medication for as many days as it has been prescribed for you even if you begin
to feel better. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Gemifloxacin
will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Store gemifloxacin at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose of gemifloxacin?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about gemifloxacin?
Your pharmacist has information about gemifloxacin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of gemifloxacin?
Stop using gemifloxacin and get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue,
or throat.
Stop using gemifloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side
effects:
-
dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat;
-
sudden pain, snapping or popping sound, bruising, loss of
movement, or swelling near your joints (especially in your arm or ankle);
-
diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
-
confusion, hallucinations, depression, unusual thoughts or
behavior;
-
seizure (convulsions);
-
pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, weakness;
-
upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, clay-colored stools,
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
-
urinating less than usual or not at all;
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easy bruising or bleeding;
-
numbness, burning, tingling, or unusual pain anywhere in
your body;
-
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering,
peeling, and red skin rash; or
-
the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
nausea, vomiting;
-
dizziness or drowsiness;
-
blurred vision;
-
muscle pain;
-
feeling nervous, anxious, or restless; or
-
sleep problems (insomnia or nightmares).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about gemifloxacin?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to gemifloxacin or similar antibiotics
such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), ofloxacin (Floxin),
norfloxacin (Noroxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), and others.
Before taking gemifloxacin, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, joint problems, a history
of seizures, low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood, a nerve disorder or history of
circulation problems, or a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."
Avoid taking antacids, vitamin or mineral supplements, sucralfate (Carafate), or didanosine
(Videx) powder or chewable tablets within 3 hours before or 2 hours after you take gemifloxacin.
These other medicines can make gemifloxacin much less effective when taken at the same time.
Taking gemifloxacin can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Avoid exposure to sunlight,
sun lamps, or tanning beds.
Gemifloxacin may cause swelling or tearing of a tendon (the fiber that connects bones to
muscles in the body), especially in the Achilles' tendon of the heel. These effects may be more likely to
occur if you are over 60, if you take an oral steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or
lung transplant. Stop taking gemifloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling,
tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints. Rest the joint until you receive
medical care or instructions.
Do not share this medication with another person (especially a child), even if they have the
same symptoms you do.
What should I avoid while taking gemifloxacin?
You may be taking certain other medicines that should not be taken at the same time as
gemifloxacin. Avoid taking the following medicines within 3 hours before or 2 hours after you take
gemifloxacin. These other medicines can make gemifloxacin much less effective when taken at the same
time:
-
antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (such as Maalox,
Mylanta, or Rolaids);
-
the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate);
-
didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets; or
-
vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc.
Avoid exposure to sunlight, sunlamps, or tanning beds. Gemifloxacin
can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, and a sunburn may result. Wear protective clothing and
use a sunscreen (SPF-15 or higher) if you must be out in the sun. Call your doctor if you have severe
burning, redness, itching, rash, or swelling after being in the sun.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have
diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the
diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
Gemifloxacin can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if
you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
What other drugs will affect gemifloxacin?
Before taking gemifloxacin, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
-
probenecid (Benemid, Probalan);
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
-
a diuretic (water pill);
-
an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin
(E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), or pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam);
-
an antidepressant such as amitriptylline (Elavil, Vanatrip),
clomipramine (Anafranil), or desipramine (Norpramin);
-
anti-malaria medications such as chloroquine (Arelan),
mefloquine (Lariam), or halofantrine (Halfan);
-
medicine to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting, such as
dolasetron (Anzemet) or ondansetron (Zofran);
-
medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as
chlorpromazine (Thorazine), clozapine (FazaClo, Clozaril), haloperidol (Haldol), pimozide
(Orap), thioridazine (Mellaril), or ziprasidone (Geodon);
-
migraine headache medicine such as sumatriptan (Imitrex)
or zolmitriptan (Zomig);
-
narcotic medication such as levomethadyl (Orlaam), or
methadone (Dolophine, Methadose);
-
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as
ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), etodolac (Lodine), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren),
indomethacin (Indocin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), piroxicam (Feldene), and others;
or
-
an oral steroid medication such as dexamethasone
(Decadron, Dexpak), prednisolone (Orapred), prednisone (Meticorten, Sterapred), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
gemifloxacin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use.
This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start
using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of gemifloxacin?
