Drug Notes

Gatifloxacin (Injection)

Gatifloxacin (gat-i-FLOX-a-sin)

Treats infections that are caused by bacteria. This medicine is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. This medicine was withdrawn from the U.S. market.

Brand Name(s):

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• 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.
• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

If a dose is missed:

• Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• If you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine, containers, and other supplies. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

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 digoxin, dofetilide, erythromycin, probenecid, Lanoxin®, or Tikosyn®. Tell your doctor if you use a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®), or a diuretic or "water pill" such as furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide. Tell your doctor if you are using a diabetes medicine taken by mouth such as glyburide, Amaryl®, Actos®, Avandia®, Glucotrol®, or Glucophage®.
• Tell your doctor if you use medicine for depression or mental illness such as amitriptyline, imipramine, Geodon®, Haldol®, Mellaril®, Prozac®, or Serentil®. Make sure your doctor knows if you are using a pain or arthritis medicine such as aspirin, indomethacin, naproxen, ibuprofen, Advil®, or Relafen®. Tell your doctor if you are using a medicine to treat abnormal heart rhythm such as amiodarone, bretylium, disopyramide, ibutilide, procainamide, quinidine, or sotalol.
• There are many other medicines that you should not use together with gatifloxacin. This includes nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines and herbal products. Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are using.

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, stroke, heart rhythm problems, or a family history of a heart condition called Long QT Syndrome. Also make sure your doctor knows if you have diabetes, kidney disease, hypokalemia (low blood potassium), or a seizure disorder (such as epilepsy). This medicine should not be given to children.
• If you have severe diarrhea, ask your doctor before taking any medicine to stop the diarrhea.
• This medicine may raise or lower your blood sugar, or it may cover up symptoms of very low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
• If your blood sugar gets too low, you may feel weak, drowsy, confused, anxious, or very hungry. You may also sweat, shake, or have blurred vision, a fast heartbeat, or a headache that will not go away.
• Call your doctor if you have pain, swelling, or tearing of a tendon. Tendons may be found in the back of your knee or ankle, in your shoulder, elbow, hand, or wrist. You may need to stop taking the medicine.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or lightheaded. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.

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 your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Chest pain, or pounding, irregular heartbeat.
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate.
• Diarrhea or dark-colored stools.
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in your upper stomach.
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
• Seizures or tremors.
• Unusual bleeding or bruising, skin rash, redness, blistering, or peeling.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

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

• Agitation, nervousness, or confusion.
• Anxiety or difficulty sleeping.
• Feeling unusually sad, seeing or hearing things that are not there.
• Headache, muscle pain, or joint pain.
• Redness, pain, swelling, itching, blistering, or rash where the shot was given.
• Sores or white patches on your lips, mouth, or throat.
• Vaginal itching or discharge.

Last Updated: 6/12/2013