Gatifloxacin Ophthalmic (patient information)

Why this medication is prescribed
Gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution is used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis (pinkeye; infection of the membrane that covers the outside of the eyeballs and the inside of the eyelids). Gatifloxacin is in a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. It works by killing the bacteria that cause infection.

How this medication should be used
Gatifloxacin comes as an ophthalmic solution (eye drops) to be placed in the eyes. It is usually used every 2 hours while awake (up to eight times a day) for 2 days, and then four times a day for 5 days. To help you remember to use gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution, use it at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

You should expect your symptoms to improve during your treatment. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not go away or get worse, or if you develop other problems with your eyes during your treatment.

Use gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop using gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution too soon, your infection may not be completely cured and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

When you use gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution, be careful not to let the tip of the bottle touch your eye, fingers, face, or any surface. If the tip does touch another surface, bacteria may get into the eye drops. Using eye drops that are contaminated with bacteria may cause serious damage to the eye or loss of vision. If you think your eye drops have become contaminated, call your doctor or pharmacist.

To use the eye drops, follow these steps:


 * 1) Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
 * 2) Use a mirror or have someone else put the drops in your eye.
 * 3) Remove the protective cap from the bottle. Make sure that the end of the dropper tip is not chipped or cracked.
 * 4) Hold the bottle with the tip down at all times to prevent drops from flowing back into the bottle and contaminating the medication inside.
 * 5) Lie down and gaze upward or tilt your head back.
 * 6) Holding the bottle between your thumb and index finger, place the dropper tip as near as possible to your eyelid without touching it.
 * 7) Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your cheek or nose.
 * 8) With the index finger of your other hand, pull the lower lid of the eye down to form a pocket.
 * 9) Drop the prescribed number of drops into the pocket made by the lower lid and the eye. Placing drops on the surface of the eyeball can cause stinging.
 * 10) Close your eye and press lightly against the lower lid with your finger for 2-3 minutes to keep the medication in the eye. Do not blink.
 * 11) If your doctor told you to place gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution in both eyes, repeat steps 6-10 above for your other eye.
 * 12) Replace the cap on the bottle and tighten it right away. Do not wipe or rinse off the tip.
 * 13) Wipe off any excess liquid from your cheek with a clean tissue. Wash your hands again.

Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Special precautions
Before using gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution:


 * tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to gatifloxacin (Tequin, Zymar), other quinolone antibiotics such as cinoxacin (Cinobac) (not available in the United States), ciprofloxacin (Cipro, Ciloxan), enoxacin (Penetrex) (not available in the United States), levofloxacin (Levaquin, Quixin, Iquix), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox, Vigamox), nalidixic acid (NegGram) (not available in the United States); norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin, Ocuflox), sparfloxacin (Zagam), and trovafloxacin and alatrofloxacin combination (Trovan) (not available in the United States), any other medications, or benzalkonium chloride.
 * tell your doctor and pharmacist what 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), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) and theophylline (TheoDur). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
 * tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any medical condition.
 * tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution, call your doctor.
 * tell your doctor if you wear contact lenses. You should not wear contact lenses while you have symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis or while you are applying eye drops.
 * you should know that bacterial conjunctivitis spreads easily. Wash your hands often, especially after you touch your eyes. When your infection goes away, you should wash or replace any eye makeup, contact lenses, or other objects that touched your infected eye(s).

Special dietary instructions
Talk to your doctor about drinking coffee or other beverages containing caffeine while you are taking this medication.

What to do if you forget a dose
Place the missed dose in your eye(s) as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Minor side effects
Gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:


 * red, irritated, itchy, or teary eyes
 * blurred vision
 * eye pain
 * eye discharge
 * swollen eyelids
 * broken blood vessels in the eyes
 * headache
 * unpleasant taste

Severe side effects
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:


 * rash
 * hives
 * itching
 * difficulty breathing or swallowing
 * swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
 * hoarseness

Gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Storage conditions needed for this medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Do not allow the medication to freeze. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

Other information
Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution, call your doctor.

Brand names

 * Zymar®