MedlinePlus Drug Information: Gemifloxacin

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Gemifloxacin

gem ah flox' a sin

Contents of this page:
Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose?	What side effects can this medication cause? What storage conditions are needed for this medicine? In case of emergency/overdose What other information should I know? Brand names

Why is this medication prescribed? Return to top

Gemifloxacin is used to treat infections such as pneumonia (lung infections) or bronchitis (infection of the tubes moving air in and out of the lungs) caused by certain bacteria. Gemifloxacin is in a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. It works by eliminating bacteria that cause infections. Antibiotics do not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections

How should this medicine be used? Return to top

Gemifloxacin comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food once daily for 5 to 7 days. To help you remember to take gemifloxacin, take it 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 gemifloxacin 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 with plenty of water; do not split, chew, or crush them.

You should begin feeling better during the first few days of treatment with gemifloxacin. If you do not, call your doctor.

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

Other uses for this medicine Return to top

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow? Return to top

Before taking gemifloxacin,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to gemifloxacin; other quinolone and fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as cinoxacin (Cinobac), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), enoxacin (Penetrex), gatifloxacin (Tequin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), nalidixic acid (NegGram), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), trovafloxacin and alatrofloxacin combination (Trovan); or any other medications.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil); aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); cisapride (Propulsid); diuretics ('water pills'); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-mycin, Erythrocin); gatifloxacin (Tequin); hormone replacement therapy; levofloxacin (Levaquin); medications for irregular heartbeat such as amiodarone (Cordarone), dofetilide (Tikosyn), disopyramide (Norpace), procainamide (Procanbid, Pronestyl), quinidine (Quinidex), and sotalol (Betapace); medications for mental illness; moxifloxacin (Avelox); oral contraceptives (birth control pills); oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone); pimozide (Orap); probenecid; sparfloxacin (Zagam); or thioridazine (Stelazine). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
if you are taking magnesium- and/or aluminum-containing antacids (ALternaGEL, Amphojel, Basaljel, Gaviscon, Maalox, Mylanta); didanosine (Videx) chewable tablets or solution (liquid); or iron, magnesium, or zinc in supplements or multivitamins; take them 3 hours before or 2 hours after gemifloxacin.
if you are taking sucralfate (Carafate), take it at least 2 hours after gemifloxacin.
tell your doctor if you or any of your family members have or have ever had irregular, slow, or pounding heartbeat; if you have recently had a heart attack; and if you have or have ever had blood problems; low potassium or magnesium levels in your blood; mental illness; recent head injury; seizures; or heart, kidney, or liver disease.
you should know that antibiotics similar to gemifloxacin have caused serious and occasionally fatal allergic reactions in some patients. If you develop hives; difficulty breathing or swallowing; rapid, irregular or pounding heartbeat; fainting; dizziness; blurred vision; or other symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, seek emergency medical care right away. If you develop a skin rash, stop taking gemifloxacin and call your doctor. Call your doctor if you experience other signs of an allergic reaction such as itching; swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; fever; sore throat, chills or other sign of infection; hoarseness; joint or muscle pain; decreased urination; unusual bruising or bleeding; lack of energy; weakness; yellowing of the skin or eyes; or upset stomach.
you should know that gemifloxacin may cause tendonitis (swelling or tearing of the fiber that connects a bone to a muscle). Tell your doctor if you have ever had tendonitis ,and if you participate in regular athletic activity. If you experience symptoms of tendonitis, such as pain, swelling, tenderness, or difficulty in moving a muscle, stop taking gemifloxacin, rest, and call your doctor immediately.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking gemifloxacin, call your doctor.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking gemifloxacin.
you should know that gemifloxacin may make you dizzy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight, sunlamps, or tanning beds and wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen when outside in sunlight. Gemifloxacin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

What special dietary instructions should I follow? Return to top

Be sure to drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication.

What should I do if I forget a dose? Return to top

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 more than one dose of gemifloxacin in 1 day.

What side effects can this medication cause? Return to top

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

diarrhea
stomach pain
vomiting
lightheadedness
confusion
restlessness
nervousness
change in ability to taste
difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, or those mentioned in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately:

hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
depression
abnormal fear
thoughts of hurting yourself
shaking hands that you cannot control
seizures
lower back pain

You should know that gemifloxacin has slowed the growth and damaged the joints of young laboratory animals. It is not known if gemifloxacin has these effects on children. Therefore, gemifloxacin should not be given to children younger than 18 years old. Talk to your child's doctor about the risks of giving gemifloxacin to your child.

Gemifloxacin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

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/index.html] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine? Return to top

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 light, and 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 Return to top

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.

What other information should I know? Return to top

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to gemifloxacin.

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 gemifloxacin, call your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Brand names Return to top

Factive®

Last Revised - 07/01/2004
Last Reviewed - 07/01/2004

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Disclaimer