Gatifloxacin

What is Gatifloxacin?

• Gatifloxacin (ZYMAXID) ophthalmic solution is a topical fluoroquinolone anti-infective used for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis.

File:Gatifloxacin.svg

Gatifloxacin

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Gatifloxacin ball-and-stick

What are the uses of this medicine?

• Gatifloxacin ZYMAXID is used for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis caused by susceptible strains of the following organisms:

Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus mitis group, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus pneumoniae.

How does this medicine work?

• Gatifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
• Gatifloxacin is an 8-methoxyfluoroquinolone with a 3-methylpiperazinyl substituent at C7.
• The antibacterial action of gatifloxacin results from inhibition of DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV.
• DNA gyrase is an essential enzyme that is involved in the replication, transcription, and repair of bacterial DNA.
• Topoisomerase IV is an enzyme known to play a key role in the partitioning of the chromosomal DNA during bacterial cell division.
• The mechanism of action of fluoroquinolones including gatifloxacin is different from that of aminoglycoside, macrolide, and tetracycline antibiotics.

Who Should Not Use this medicine ?

• This medicine have no usage limitations.

What drug interactions can this medicine cause?

• Specific drug interaction studies have not been conducted with ZYMAXID® ophthalmic solution.

Is this medicine FDA approved?

Initial U.S. Approval: 1999

How should this medicine be used?

Recommended dosage: Patients 1 year of age or older:

• Instill one drop every two hours in the affected eye(s) while awake, up to 8 times on Day 1.
• Instill one drop two to four times daily in the affected eye(s) while awake on Days 2 through 7.

Administration:

• Instill one drop two to four times daily in the affected eye(s) while awake.
• Patients should be instructed to avoid contaminating the applicator tip with material from the eye, fingers, or other source.
• Patients should be advised not to wear contact lenses if they have signs and symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis.

What are the dosage forms and brand names of this medicine?

This medicine is available in fallowing doasage form:

• As gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution, 0.5%

This medicine is available in fallowing brand namesː ZYMAXID

What side effects can this medication cause?

The most common side effects of this medicine include:

• worsening of conjunctivitis
• eye irritation
• dysgeusia
• eye pain

What special precautions should I follow?

• ZYMAXID® solution should not be introduced directly into the anterior chamber of the eye.
• As with other anti-infectives, prolonged use of ZYMAXID (gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution) 0.5% may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms, including fungi. If superinfection occurs, discontinue use and institute alternative therapy.
• Patients should be advised not to wear contact lenses if they have signs and symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis or during the course of therapy with ZYMAXID.

What to do in case of emergency/overdose?

• In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline of your country. In the United States, call 1-800-222-1222.

• Overdose related information is also available online at poisonhelp.org/help.
• In the event that the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services. In the United States, call 911.

Can this medicine be used in pregnancy?

• Because there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women, ZYMAXID® solution should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Can this medicine be used in children?

• The safety and effectiveness of ZYMAXID® in infants below one year of age have not been established.

What are the active and inactive ingredients in this medicine?

Active Ingredient:

• gatifloxacin

Inactive Ingredients: edetate disodium water sodium chloride benzalkonium chloride hydrochloric acid sodium hydroxide

Who manufactures and distributes this medicine?

Manufactured by: Allergan, Inc. Irvine, CA 92612, U.S.A. ® marks owned by Allergan, Inc. Licensed from Kyorin Pharmaceuticals

Additional barcode labeling by: Physicians Total Care, Inc. Tulsa, Oklahoma

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

• Store at 15°-25°C (59°-77°F).
• Protect from freezing.

• Dailymed label info on Gatifloxacin
• FDA Gatifloxacin