Gemifloxacin

Generic name: Gemifloxacin
Brand names: Factive
Dosage form: oral tablet (320 mg)
Drug class: Quinolones and fluoroquinolones

Usage of Gemifloxacin

Gemifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone (flor-o-KWIN-o-lone) antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body.

Gemifloxacin is used to treat different types of bacterial infections in the lungs.

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics can cause serious or disabling side effects. Gemifloxacin should be used only for infections that cannot be treated with a safer antibiotic.

Gemifloxacin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Gemifloxacin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

Gemifloxacin can cause serious side effects, including tendon problems, side effects on your nerves (which may cause permanent nerve damage), serious mood or behavior changes (after just one dose), or low blood sugar (which can lead to coma).

Stop taking gemifloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have:

  • low blood sugar--headache, hunger, sweating, irritability, dizziness, nausea, fast heart rate, or feeling anxious or shaky;
  • nerve symptoms in your hands, arms, legs, or feet--numbness, weakness, tingling, burning pain;
  • serious mood or behavior changes--nervousness, confusion, agitation, paranoia, hallucinations, memory problems, trouble concentrating, thoughts of suicide; or
  • signs of tendon rupture--sudden pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, stiffness, movement problems, or a snapping or popping sound in any of your joints (rest the joint until you receive medical care or instructions).

    • In rare cases, gemifloxacin may cause damage to your aorta, the main blood artery of the body. This could lead to dangerous bleeding or death. Get emergency medical help if you have severe and constant pain in your chest, stomach, or back.

    Also, stop using gemifloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have:

  • severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
  • fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out);
  • the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;
  • muscle weakness, breathing problems;
  • jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
  • a seizure (convulsions); or
  • increased pressure inside the skull--severe headaches, ringing in your ears, vision problems, pain behind your eyes.

    • Common side effects of gemifloxacin may include:

  • nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea;
  • headache;
  • dizziness; or
  • rash.

    • 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.

    Before taking Gemifloxacin

    You should not use gemifloxacin if you are allergic to gemifloxacin or other fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin, and others).

    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. This can happen during treatment or up to several months after you stop taking gemifloxacin. Tendon problems may be more likely to occur if you are over 60, if you take steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant.

    Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • tendon problems, arthritis or other joint problems;
  • blood circulation problems, aneurysm, narrowing or hardening of the arteries;
  • heart problems, high blood pressure;
  • a genetic disease such as Marfan syndrome or Ehler's-Danlos syndrome;
  • diabetes;
  • a muscle or nerve disorder, such as myasthenia gravis;
  • long QT syndrome (in you or a family member);
  • trouble swallowing pills;
  • liver or kidney disease;
  • epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
  • low levels of magnesium or potassium in your blood.

    • It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

    You should not breast-feed while using gemifloxacin.

    Gemifloxacin is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

    Relate drugs

    How to use Gemifloxacin

    Usual Adult Dose for Bronchitis:

    320 mg orally once a day for 5 daysComments:-Since fluoroquinolones (including this drug) have been associated with serious side effects and acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (ABECB) is self-limiting for some patients, this drug should be saved for treatment of ABECB in patients with no alternative treatment options.Use: For the treatment of ABECB due to susceptible isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, H parainfluenzae, or Moraxella catarrhalis

    Usual Adult Dose for Pneumonia:

    320 mg orally once a dayDuration of therapy:-Due to known/suspected S pneumoniae, H influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, or Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection: 5 days-Due to known/suspected multi-drug resistant S pneumoniae (MDRSP), Klebsiella pneumoniae, or M catarrhalis infection: 7 daysComments:-MDRSP isolates are isolates resistant to at least 2 of the following antibacterials: penicillin (MIC at least 2 mcg/mL), second-generation cephalosporins (e.g., Cefuroxime), macrolides, tetracyclines, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim.Use: For the treatment of mild to moderate community-acquired pneumonia due to susceptible isolates of S pneumoniae (including MDRSP), H influenzae, M catarrhalis, M pneumoniae, C pneumoniae, or K pneumoniae

    Warnings

    Gemifloxacin can cause serious side effects, including tendon problems, nerve damage, serious mood or behavior changes, or low blood sugar.

    Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have symptoms such as: headache, hunger, irritability, numbness, tingling, burning pain, confusion, agitation, paranoia, problems with memory or concentration, thoughts of suicide, or sudden pain or movement problems in any of your joints.

    In rare cases, gemifloxacin may cause damage to your aorta, which could lead to dangerous bleeding or death. Get emergency medical help if you have severe and constant pain in your chest, stomach, or back.

    What other drugs will affect Gemifloxacin

    Some medicines can make gemifloxacin much less effective when taken at the same time. If you take any of the following medicines, take your gemifloxacin dose 2 hours before or 3 hours after you take the other medicine:

  • antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (such as Maalox, Mylanta, or Rolaids), or the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate);
  • didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets; or
  • vitamin or mineral supplements that contain aluminum, iron, magnesium, or zinc.

    • Gemifloxacin can cause a serious heart problem. Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.

    Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

  • probenecid;
  • a diuretic or "water pill";
  • insulin or oral diabetes medicine (check your blood sugar regularly);
  • a blood thinner--warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven;
  • NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), Celecoxib, diclofenac, Indomethacin, Meloxicam, and others; or
  • steroid medicine--prednisone, methylprednisolone, and others.

    • This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with gemifloxacin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

    Disclaimer

    Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

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