Gemifloxacin

Pronunciation: JEM-i-FLOX-a-sin
Generic Name: Gemifloxacin
Brand Name: Factive

Gemifloxacin is associated with an increased risk of tendon problems. These include pain, swelling, inflammation, and possible breakage of tendons. The risk of tendon problems is greater in patients who are older than 60 years old, patients who take corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), or in those who have received kidney, heart, or lung transplants. The Achilles tendon in the back of the foot/ankle area is most often affected. However, problems may also occur in other tendons (eg, in the shoulder, arm, or hand). Problems may occur while you take Gemifloxacin or up to several months after you stop taking it.

Signs of tendon problems may include pain, soreness, redness, or swelling of a tendon or joint; bruising right after an injury in a tendon area; hearing or feeling a snap or pop in a joint or tendon area; or inability to move or bear weight on a joint or tendon area. Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms while you take Gemifloxacin or within several months after you stop taking it.

Gemifloxacin may worsen muscle weakness and breathing problems in patients with myasthenia gravis. Do not take Gemifloxacin if you have a history of myasthenia gravis.

Gemifloxacin is used for:

Treating infections caused by certain bacteria.

Gemifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. It works by killing sensitive bacteria.

Do NOT use Gemifloxacin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Gemifloxacin or to any other fluoroquinolone antibiotic (eg, ciprofloxacin)


• you have uncorrected blood electrolyte levels (eg, low potassium or magnesium)


• you have a history of myasthenia gravis or of a certain type of irregular heartbeat (eg, QT interval prolongation)


• you are taking certain medicines for heart rhythm problems (eg, amiodarone, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Gemifloxacin:

Some medical conditions may interact with Gemifloxacin. Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have a history of diabetes, severe or persistent diarrhea, skin sensitivity to the sun, heart problems (eg, abnormal heart function tests, congestive heart failure, a heart attack, slow or irregular heartbeat), heart blood vessel problems, or low blood potassium or magnesium levels


• if you have a family history of irregular heartbeat (QT prolongation)


• if you have a stomach infection, brain or nervous system problems, increased pressure in the brain, Alzheimer disease, or brain blood vessel problems


• if you have a history of seizures or you are at risk of seizures


• if you have a history of joint or tendon problems; rheumatoid arthritis; liver problems; kidney problems or decreased kidney function; or a heart, kidney, or lung transplant


• if you take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or if you participate in strenuous physical work or exercise

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Gemifloxacin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Arsenic, astemizole, azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), cisapride, diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide), droperidol, haloperidol, ketolides (eg, telithromycin), macrolide antibiotics (eg, erythromycin), certain medicines for heart rhythm disturbances (eg, dofetilide, quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone, sotalol), phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), pimozide, terfenadine, tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline), ziprasidone, or any other medicine that may increase the risk of a certain type of irregular heartbeat (prolonged QT interval) because side effects, such as racing heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, or life-threatening irregular heartbeat leading to unconsciousness, may be increased by Gemifloxacin. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure if any of your medicines may increase the risk of this type of irregular heartbeat


• Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone) because the risk of tendon problems may be increased


• Oral anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of bleeding may be increased by Gemifloxacin


• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen) or probenecid because they may increase the risk of Gemifloxacin's side effects


• Sulfonylureas (eg, glyburide) because the risk of side effects, including low blood sugar, may be increased by Gemifloxacin

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Gemifloxacin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Gemifloxacin:

Use Gemifloxacin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Gemifloxacin comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Gemifloxacin refilled.


• Take Gemifloxacin by mouth with or without food.


• Swallow Gemifloxacin whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.


• Take Gemifloxacin with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL).


• Gemifloxacin works best if it is taken at the same time each day.


• Drinking extra fluids while you are taking Gemifloxacin is recommended. Check with your doctor for instructions.


• Avoid taking Gemifloxacin with dairy products (eg, milk, yogurt) or calcium-fortified juices by themselves. However, taking Gemifloxacin as part of a full meal that contains these products is permitted.


• If you are also taking aluminum or magnesium (eg, certain antacids), calcium, iron, zinc, multivitamins, or certain forms of didanosine (chewable/buffered tablets, pediatric powder for oral solution), do not take it within 3 hours before or 2 hours after you take Gemifloxacin.


• If you are also taking sucralfate, take Gemifloxacin at least 2 hours before taking sucralfate.


• To clear up your infection completely, take Gemifloxacin for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.


• Do not miss any doses of Gemifloxacin. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take more than 1 dose in the same day.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Gemifloxacin.

Important safety information:

• Gemifloxacin may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or light-headedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Gemifloxacin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Gemifloxacin only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).


• Be sure to use Gemifloxacin for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.


• Long-term or repeated use of Gemifloxacin may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.


• Mild diarrhea is common with antibiotic use. However, a more serious form of diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis) may rarely occur. This may develop while you take the antibiotic or within several months after you stop taking it. Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.


• Tell your doctor right away if you experience pain or swelling of a tendon, or weakness or loss of use of a joint area. Rest the area and avoid exercise until your doctor gives you instructions.


• Gemifloxacin may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Gemifloxacin. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.


• Some patients taking Gemifloxacin have developed a rash. This may be more likely if you are younger than 40 years old, are a woman, are taking hormone replacement therapy, or take Gemifloxacin for longer than 5 days. Contact your doctor if you develop a rash.


• Diabetes patients - Gemifloxacin may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.


• Use Gemifloxacin with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects (eg, tendon problems), especially if they take corticosteroids (eg, prednisone). They may also be more sensitive to other effects (eg, irregular heartbeat).


• Gemifloxacin should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed. They may also be more sensitive to the effects of Gemifloxacin, including bone and joint problems.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Gemifloxacin while you are pregnant. It is not known if Gemifloxacin is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you take Gemifloxacin, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Gemifloxacin:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; dizziness; headache; mild stomach pain; nausea; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing or swallowing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, throat, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); bloody or tarry stools; burning, numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness of the arms, hands, legs, or feet; chest pain or pounding in the chest; decreased urination; excessive hunger, thirst, or urination; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, sore throat, or unusual cough; fruit-like breath odor; hallucinations; inability to move or bear weight on a joint or tendon area; joint pain; moderate or severe sunburn; mood or mental changes (eg, new or worsening anxiety, agitation, confusion, depression, nervousness, paranoia, restlessness); muscle pain or weakness; nightmares; pain, soreness, redness, swelling, weakness, or bruising of a tendon or joint area; pale stools; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe or persistent diarrhea; severe or persistent dizziness, headache, or light-headedness; shortness of breath or trouble breathing; sleeplessness; stomach pain or cramps; suicidal thoughts or actions; sweating; symptoms of liver problems (eg, dark urine, loss of appetite, pale stools, yellowing of the skin or eyes); tremors; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual swelling or weight gain; unusual weakness or tiredness; vaginal odor or discharge; vision changes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Gemifloxacin side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Gemifloxacin:

Store Gemifloxacin at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Gemifloxacin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Gemifloxacin, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Gemifloxacin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Gemifloxacin. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Gemifloxacin resources

• Gemifloxacin Side Effects (in more detail)
• Gemifloxacin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Gemifloxacin Drug Interactions
• Gemifloxacin Support Group
• 5 Reviews for Gemifloxacin - Add your own review/rating

• gemifloxacin Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• gemifloxacin Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Factive Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Factive Monograph (AHFS DI)

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