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|Gatifloxacin

Gatifloxacin

Gatifloxacin is used for:

Treating infections caused by certain bacteria.

Gatifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. It works by stopping the production of essential proteins needed by the bacteria to survive.

Do NOT use Gatifloxacin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Gatifloxacin or to similar medicines (eg, ciprofloxacin)
• you have low blood potassium or diabetes
• you or a family member have a rare heart condition known as congenital prolongation of the QTc interval
• you are taking certain medicines for heart rhythm disturbances (eg, quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone, sotalol), cisapride, a ketolide antibiotic (eg, telithromycin), a macrolide antibiotic (eg, erythromycin), pimozide, or ziprasidone

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Gatifloxacin :

Some medical conditions may interact with Gatifloxacin . Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines or other substances
• if you have heart problems, including a slow heartbeat, a history of lack of blood supply to your heart, or hardening of the arteries
• if you have a history of low blood potassium levels, diabetes, or kidney or liver problems
• if you have Alzheimer disease, tendonitis, a history of seizures, or other central nervous system problems or increased pressure in the head

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Gatifloxacin . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline), antihistamines (eg, diphenhydramine, loratadine), arsenic, azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), certain medicines for heart rhythm disturbances (eg, quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone, sotalol), cisapride, diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide), droperidol, ketolide antibiotics (eg, telithromycin, macrolide antibiotics (eg, erythromycin), phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), pimozide , or ziprasidone because the risk of side effects, such as racing heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, life-threatening irregular heartbeat leading to unconsciousness, may be increased
• Probenecid because it may increase the risk of Gatifloxacin "s side effects
• Digoxin because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Gatifloxacin
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of side effects, including bleeding, may be increased by Gatifloxacin
• Insulin, sulfonylureas (eg, glyburide), or other medicines for diabetes because the risk of blood sugar changes may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Gatifloxacin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Gatifloxacin :

Use Gatifloxacin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Gatifloxacin is usually administered as an injection at your doctor"s office, hospital, or clinic. If you are using Gatifloxacin at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider.
• If Gatifloxacin contains particles or is discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.
• To clear up your infection completely, continue using Gatifloxacin for the full course of treatment even if you feel better in a few days.
• Gatifloxacin works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
• When possible, you will be switched to medicine you can take by mouth.
• Drinking extra fluids while you are taking Gatifloxacin is recommended. Check with your doctor for instructions. If you are unable to take fluids by mouth, you will be given fluids through a vein.
• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and away from pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain local regulations for proper disposal.
• If you miss a dose of Gatifloxacin , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Gatifloxacin .

Important safety information:

• Gatifloxacin may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or changes in vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Gatifloxacin . Using Gatifloxacin alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Gatifloxacin is effective only against bacteria. It is not effective for treating viral infections (eg, the common cold).
• It is important to use Gatifloxacin for the full course of treatment. Failure to do so may decrease the effectiveness of Gatifloxacin and may increase the risk that the bacteria will no longer be sensitive to Gatifloxacin and will not be able to be treated by this or certain other antibiotics in the future.
• Long-term or repeated use of Gatifloxacin may cause a second infection. Your doctor may want to change your medicine to treat the second infection. Contact your doctor if signs of a second infection occur.
• If severe diarrhea, stomach pain/cramps, or bloody stools occur, contact your doctor immediately. This could be a symptom of a serious side effect requiring immediate medical attention. Do not treat diarrhea without consulting your doctor.
• Gatifloxacin may cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Gatifloxacin . Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period.
• Gatifloxacin may cause low blood sugar (eg, increased heartbeat, headache, chills, sweating, tremor, increased hunger, changes in vision, nervousness, weakness, dizziness, drowsiness, fainting) or high blood sugar (eg, thirst, increased urination, confusion, drowsiness, flushing, rapid breathing, fruity breath odor). If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor immediately.
• Lab tests, including liver function, kidney function, and complete blood cell counts, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Gatifloxacin with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially blood sugar changes.
• Gatifloxacin is not recommended for use in CHILDREN younger than 18 years of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Gatifloxacin during pregnancy. It is unknown if Gatifloxacin is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Gatifloxacin , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Gatifloxacin :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Back pain; change in taste; constipation; depression; diarrhea; dizziness; gas; headache; indigestion; itching; nausea; pain; pain or redness at the injection site; restlessness; runny nose; sinus inflammation; sleeplessness; sore throat; tiredness; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody stools; chest pain or pounding in the chest; confusion; excessive hunger, thirst, or urination; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; hoarseness; lightheadedness; loss of consciousness; nightmares; paranoia; seizures; severe or continuous diarrhea; stomach pain/cramps; sudden onset of sweating, pale skin, or blurred vision; tendon or joint pain or swelling; tremors; unusual or severe drowsiness or dizziness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Store Gatifloxacin at room temperature, 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not freeze. Keep Gatifloxacin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Gatifloxacin , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Gatifloxacin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Gatifloxacin . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.