General Information
Uses
What should I know before taking this drug
Precautions
Dosage information
Adverse reactions
Storage
Additional information if any
Gatiquin tab (Cipla)
Gaticin eye drops (Aristo)
Gatifloxacin is a prescription drug available from your pharmacy store only with the prescription of a qualified medical practitioner.
Gatifloxacin is pronounced as: ga-ti-FLOKS-a-sin
Gatifloxacin is an anti infective / broad spectrum antibacterial drug belonging to fluoroquinolone group of antibiotics.
Gatifloxacin is used in the treatment of
- Uncomplicated gonorrhoea.
How to use gatifloxacin
- Take gatifloxacin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
- Gatifloxacin injection is given by your doctor by intra venous.
- Gatifloxacin injecton should be inspected visually for particulate matter prior to administration.
- Preparations of gatifloxacin containing visibly opaque particles should NOT be used.
- Take oral dose of gatifloxacin before or after meals with one glass of water at regular intervals as prescribed by your doctor. Take lots of oral fluids when on this medication.
- Do not take antacids with gatifloxacin medication as these decreases the efficacy of gatifloxacin. However you may take it 2 hrs before or 6hrs after taking gatifloxacin medication.
- Do not skip any doses. Continue to take it even when you feel better.
- You must complete the entire course of medication to get maximum benefit; else the infection will not clear completely and in due course result in development of resistance.
- Gatifloxacin is known to interact with wide variety of drugs. Always remember to inform your health expert if you are currently taking any OTC or prescription drugs like
- Arrhythmic drugs (Quindine, Amiodarone)
- Blood thinning drugs( warfarin)
- Anti depressants(amitriptyline)
- Oral steroid drugs( betamethasone, Dexmethsaone, Prednisone)
- Immune suppressive drugs ( cyclosporine)
- Oral hypoglycaemic drugs (glyburide)
- Probenecid
- NSAIDS( Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Indomethacin)
- Other antibiotics( Erythromycin)
- Digoxin
- Inform your doctor if you have following medical conditions as gatifloxacin
should be used cautiously in the below mentioned conditions
- Kidney disease
- History of tendon or joint injury
- Seizure disorder
Do not take gatifloxacin if you have diabetes, liver disease, and Family history of long QT interval or sudden cardiac arrest.
Old people: Gatifloxacin medication should be used cautiously in elderly individual as the risk of tendon injury is more when on this medication.
Pregnant woman: Gatifloxacin belongs to FDA pregnancy category C. This means that gatifloxacin may harm an unborn baby if used during pregnancy but potential benefit may warrant use of the drug in pregnant woman despite potential risks. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning for conception.
Lactating women: It is not known whether gatifloxacin passes into breast milk or if it could harm the baby. Do not take gatifloxacin with out first talking to doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.
Other:
Gatifloxacin is available as tablet, injection and eye drops. Your doctor will prescribe them depending on the severity of the disease.
Use as directed by your physician, your physician prescribes depending on the severity of disease. Use the complete course of medication as prescribed by your physician even though you feel better after one or two days of usage of medication.
For detailed dosage information, consult your doctor who will prescribe you depending on the severity of the disease.
If it is almost the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at same time to cover up the missed dose.
In case of overdose contact your nearest poison control centre or emergency medical centre for immediate care by physician.
The overdose symptoms of gatifloxacin are
Gatifloxacin may causes following side effects like
- Mood changes( irritability, confusion, anxiety)
- Sleep disturbance( insomnia, nightmares)
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Sinus inflammation(sinusitis)
Consult your doctor immediately if notice following symptoms.
- Allergic reaction like swollen lips, hives, difficulty in breathing, rashes. Peeling of skin etc
- Sudden onset of pain, swelling , stiffness in joints( ankle or arm)
- Palpitations, irregular heart beat
How do I store gatifloxacin?
Store gatifloxacin at room temp (15 – 30 degrees C). Avoid excessive heat, moisture or direct sunlight, never store in the bathroom. Keep it out of reach of children. Make sure that any leftover portion is disposed off safely.
- Antibiotics may cause diarrhoea. Consult your doctor immediately if it is very severe as it could be a sign of new infection.
- Your doctor may advise you to undergo certain lab test like complete cell count, liver function test, renal function test periodically when Gatifloxacin is prescribed for long duration.
- If you are diabetic taking this medication keep a close watch on your sugar levels as it can either increase or decrease blood sugar level.
- Gatifloxacin impairs thought process and causes drowsiness. Avoid activities which require you to be alert.
- Avoid prolonged sun exposure as Gatifloxacin sensitizes the exposed skin causing burning sensation, rash etc. Use long sleeved clothes, sunscreen lotion (minimum SPF-15) when you go out in sun to avoid photo toxicity.
It is imp to read manufacturing packaging instruction carefully if available and always do not hesitate to consult pharmacist or physician for any information.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: November 19,2011