Gemifloxacin (By mouth)

jem-i-FLOX-a-sin

Treats infections. This medicine is a quinolone antibiotic.

Drug classes

Antibiotic (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Gemifloxacin is used to treat bronchitis and pneumonia caused by bacterial infections.

Gemifloxacin belongs to the class of medicines known as quinolone antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Tablet

Take this medicine as directed, and take it at the same time each day.

Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

You may take this medicine with or without food. Do not take this medicine with only a source of calcium, such as milk, yogurt, or juice that contains added calcium. You may have foods or drinks that contain calcium as part of a larger meal.

Take all of the medicine in your prescription to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

Drink extra fluids so you will urinate more often and help prevent kidney problems.

Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Some medicines and foods can affect how gemifloxacin works. Tell your doctor if you are using cisapride, erythromycin, probenecid, a steroid medicine (such as hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisone), a blood thinner (such as warfarin), medicine for depression, medicine for mental illness, NSAID pain medicine (such as aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib), medicine for heart rhythm problems (such as quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone, sotalol), or hormone replacement therapy.

Some minerals and medicines can keep your body from absorbing this medicine. You may need to take gemifloxacin at least 3 hours before or 2 hours after you take these medicines. These include magnesium, aluminum, zinc, iron, and didanosine. Take gemifloxacin at least 2 hours before you take sucralfate. Ask your pharmacist for more information.

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use if you had an allergic reaction to gemifloxacin or similar medicines.

Warnings

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, myasthenia gravis, or a history of heart rhythm problems (such as prolonged QT interval) or seizures. Tell your doctor if you have ever had tendon or joint problems, including rheumatoid arthritis, or if you have received a transplant.

This medicine may cause the following problems:

Heart rhythm changes Nerve damage in the arms or legs Seizures Severe diarrhea Tendinitis or tendon rupture (may happen after treatment ends)

This medicine may make you dizzy or lightheaded. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine. It may occur 2 months or more after you stop using this medicine.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

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

Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash

Diarrhea that may contain blood

Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat

Numbness, tingling, weakness, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet

Pain, stiffness, swelling, or bruises around your ankle, leg, shoulder, or other joint

Seizures, severe headache, unusual thoughts or behaviors, trouble sleeping, confusion

Skin rash

Unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, or weakness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Factive

There may be other brand names for this medicine.