Gatifloxacin

• It is used in the treatment of bacterial infections of the lungs, sinuses (cavities of the nose), throat, skin and soft tissue infections, and the urinary tract. Soft tissues include muscle, fat, tendons, ligaments, etc.
• This medicine is useful in particular sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea
• Gatifloxacin is also used as a part of combination treatment with at least three other medicines to treat tuberculosis

When should one not use Gatifloxacin

• If you are allergic to this medicine or any other ingredient of this medicine
• If you are allergic to quinolones

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Feeling sick (nausea), headache, reduced hunger, loose motions, stomach pain
• Dizziness and light-headedness, restless or confused
• Sleep problems
• Vaginal discharge or itching
• Fast, pounding (palpitations) and irregular heartbeats, fainting
• Fits, tingling, and numbness
• Burning pain, severe loose motions, fever, dark urine
• Yellowing of eyes (jaundice)
• Joint swelling and pains, skin rashes

Other General Warnings

• You have a history of abnormal heart rhythms (you or anyone in your family)
• You have any other heart diseases
• You have kidney or liver diseases
• You have low blood potassium levels
• You have seizure disorders

How Does It Work?

Interactions with other medicines

• Medicines used to treat heart rhythm disorders (Quinidine, Disopyramide, Bretylium, Procainamide, Amiodarone, Sotalol)
• Antacids (used to reduce stomach acids) or vitamins and minerals containing aluminum, magnesium, or zinc
• Medicines used to treat depression and psychiatric disorders (Amitriptyline, Amoxapine, Imipramine, Nortriptyline, Doxepine, Chlorpromazine, Fluphenazine, Perphenazine, Mesoridazine, Thioridazine)
• Didanosine (used to treat HIV/ AIDS), Cisapride (to cause stomach emptying)
• Erythromycin (antibiotic), blood thinning agents (Warfarin)
• Probenecid (used to treat gout) and pain killers

Interactions with food items

Overdose

Missed a Dose