Gemifloxacin

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Brand name(s): FactiveŽ

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking gemifloxacin,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to gemifloxacin; other quinolone and fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as cinoxacin (Cinobac), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), enoxacin (Penetrex), gatifloxacin (Tequin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), nalidixic acid (NegGram), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), trovafloxacin and alatrofloxacin combination (Trovan); or any other medications.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil); aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); cisapride (Propulsid); diuretics ('water pills'); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-mycin, Erythrocin); gatifloxacin (Tequin); hormone replacement therapy; levofloxacin (Levaquin); medications for irregular heartbeat such as amiodarone (Cordarone), dofetilide (Tikosyn), disopyramide (Norpace), procainamide (Procanbid, Pronestyl), quinidine (Quinidex), and sotalol (Betapace); medications for mental illness; moxifloxacin (Avelox); oral contraceptives (birth control pills); oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone); pimozide (Orap); probenecid; sparfloxacin (Zagam); or thioridazine (Stelazine). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• if you are taking magnesium- and/or aluminum-containing antacids (ALternaGEL, Amphojel, Basaljel, Gaviscon, Maalox, Mylanta); didanosine (Videx) chewable tablets or solution (liquid); or iron, magnesium, or zinc in supplements or multivitamins; take them 3 hours before or 2 hours after gemifloxacin.
• if you are taking sucralfate (Carafate), take it at least 2 hours after gemifloxacin.
• tell your doctor if you or any of your family members have or have ever had irregular, slow, or pounding heartbeat; if you have recently had a heart attack; and if you have or have ever had blood problems; low potassium or magnesium levels in your blood; mental illness; recent head injury; seizures; or heart, kidney, or liver disease.
• you should know that antibiotics similar to gemifloxacin have caused serious and occasionally fatal allergic reactions in some patients. If you develop hives; difficulty breathing or swallowing; rapid, irregular or pounding heartbeat; fainting; dizziness; blurred vision; or other symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, seek emergency medical care right away. If you develop a skin rash, stop taking gemifloxacin and call your doctor. Call your doctor if you experience other signs of an allergic reaction such as itching; swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; fever; sore throat, chills or other sign of infection; hoarseness; joint or muscle pain; decreased urination; unusual bruising or bleeding; lack of energy; weakness; yellowing of the skin or eyes; or upset stomach.
• you should know that gemifloxacin may cause tendonitis (swelling or tearing of the fiber that connects a bone to a muscle). Tell your doctor if you have ever had tendonitis ,and if you participate in regular athletic activity. If you experience symptoms of tendonitis, such as pain, swelling, tenderness, or difficulty in moving a muscle, stop taking gemifloxacin, rest, and call your doctor immediately.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking gemifloxacin, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking gemifloxacin.
• you should know that gemifloxacin may make you dizzy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
• plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight, sunlamps, or tanning beds and wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen when outside in sunlight. Gemifloxacin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

Last Revised: 07/01/2004

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