Uses
Gemifloxacin is used to treat pneumonia. Gemifloxacin may also be used to treat bronchitis but should not be used for this condition if there are other treatment options. Gemifloxacin is in a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. It works by killing bacteria that cause infections.
Antibiotics such as gemifloxacin do not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
Side Effects Of Gemifloxacin
Gemifloxacin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- diarrhea
- nausea
- stomach pain
- vomiting
- unusual tiredness
If you experience any of the following symptoms, or any of the symptoms described in the WARNINGS section, stop taking gemifloxacin and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical help:
- severe diarrhea (watery or bloody stools) that may occur with or without fever and stomach cramps (may occur up to 2 months or more after your treatment)
- rash
- hives
- itching
- peeling or blistering of the skin
- fever
- swelling of the eyes, face, mouth, lips, tongue, throat, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- hoarseness or throat tightness
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- ongoing or worsening cough
- yellowing of the skin or eyes; pale skin; dark urine; or light-colored stool
- extreme thirst or hunger; pale skin; feeling shaky or trembling; fast or fluttering heartbeat; sweating; frequent urination; trembling; blurred vision; or unusual anxiety
- fainting or loss of consciousness
- sudden pain in the chest, stomach, or back
Gemifloxacin may cause problems with bones, joints, and tissues around joints in children. Gemifloxacin should not be given to children younger than 18 years of age.
Gemifloxacin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking gemifloxacin:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic or have had a severe reaction to gemifloxacin or any other quinolone or fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), delafloxacin (Baxdela), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), and ofloxacin; any other medications; or if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in gemifloxacin preparations. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the WARNINGS section and any of the following: anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’) such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); certain antidepressants; antipsychotics (medications to treat mental illness); cisapride (Propulsid) (not available in the U.S.); diuretics (‘water pills’); erythromycin (E.E.S., Eryc, Erythrocin, others); hormone replacement therapy; insulin or other medications to treat diabetes such as chlorpropamide, glimepiride (Amaryl, in Duetact), glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (DiaBeta), tolazamide, and tolbutamide; certain medications for irregular heartbeat such as amiodarone (Nexterone, Pacerone), procainamide, quinidine (in Nuedexta), and sotalol (Betapace, Betapace AF, Sorine, Sotylize); nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, others); or probenecid (Probalan in Col-Probenecid). Your doctor will need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- if you are taking antacids containing aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide (Maalox, Mylanta, others); or certain medications such as didanosine (Videx) solution; or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron, magnesium, or zinc, take gemifloxacin at least 2 hours before or 3 hours after you take these medications.
- if you are taking sucralfate (Carafate), take it at least 2 hours after you take gemifloxacin.
- 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 irregular heartbeat, fainting, or sudden death). Also, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a slow or irregular heartbeat, a heart attack, an aortic aneurysm (swelling of the large artery that carries blood from the heart to the body), high blood pressure, peripheral vascular disease (poor circulation in the blood vessels), Marfan syndrome (a genetic condition that can affect the heart, eyes, blood vessels and bones), or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (a genetic condition that can affect the skin, joints, or blood vessels). Also, tell your doctor if you have a low level of potassium or magnesium in your blood.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking gemifloxacin, call your doctor.
- do not drive a car, operate machinery, or participate in activities requiring alertness or coordination until you know how this medication affects you.
- plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light (sunlamps or tanning beds) and wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Gemifloxacin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight or ultraviolet light. If your skin becomes reddened, swollen, or blistered, like a bad sunburn, call your doctor.
Gemifloxacin Dosage
Gemifloxacin comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food once a day for 5 or 7 days. The length of your treatment depends on the type of infection you have. Your doctor will tell you how long to take gemifloxacin. Take gemifloxacin 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 gemifloxacin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Do not take gemifloxacin with dairy products such as milk or yogurt, or calcium-fortified juices alone. However, you may take gemifloxacin with a meal that includes these foods or drinks.
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 your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.
Take gemifloxacin until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. Do not stop taking gemifloxacin without talking to your doctor unless you experience certain serious side effects that are listed in the WARNINGS and SIDE EFFECTS sections. If you stop taking gemifloxacin too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to gemifloxacin. If you have diabetes, your doctor may ask you to check your blood sugar more often while taking 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 taking 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.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
