Gemifloxacin (By Mouth)

Gemifloxacin Mesylate (je-mi-FLOX-a-sin MES-i-late)

Treats lung infections that are caused by bacteria. This medicine is a fluoroquinolone (floor-oh-KWIN-oh-lone) antibiotic.

Brand Name(s):

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to gemifloxacin or other quinolone antibiotic medicines such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro®), gatifloxacin (Tequin™), levofloxacin (Levaquin®), moxifloxacin (Avelox®), norfloxacin (Noroxin®), or ofloxacin (Floxin®).

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• You may take this medicine with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
• Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon.
• Drink extra fluids so you will pass more urine while you are using this medicine. This will keep your kidneys working well and help prevent kidney problems.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine at room temperature in a closed container, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using erythromycin, probenecid (Benemid®), warfarin (Coumadin®), medicine for depression (such as amitriptyline, imipramine, Norpramin®, Vivactil®), medicine to treat abnormal heart rhythm (such as amiodarone, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol, Betapace®, Cordarone®, Cardioquin®, Procan®, Procanabid®, Pronestyl®, Quinaglute®, or Quinidex®), a phenothiazine medicine (such as Compazine®, Phenergan®, Serentil®, Thorazine®), or a steroid (such as cortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisone, prednisolone, Azmacort®, Decadron®, Pediapred®, Flonase®, Flovent®, Nasonex®, Pulmicort®, Rhinocort®, Vancenase®).
• Tell your doctor if you are also using antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (such as Maalox®), iron supplements or multivitamins with iron or zinc, sucralfate (Carafate®), or didanosine (Videx®) powder or chewable/buffered tablets. Do not take any of these medicines close to the time you take gemifloxacin. You must take these medicines at least 3 hours before or 2 hours after you take gemifloxacin.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, heart rhythm problems, or low potassium or low magnesium levels in your blood. Make sure your doctor knows if you are receiving dialysis or if you have a history of seizures (epilepsy).
• Rarely, antibiotic medicines may cause severe diarrhea. Call your doctor right away if you have severe diarrhea while using this medicine or soon after you stop using it. Do not take anything to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor tells you to.
• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.
• This medicine may make you dizzy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat, or lightheadedness and fainting
• Seizures, or feeling very shaky, restless, or nervous
• Swelling or sudden pain in your shoulder, elbow, hand, wrist, or in the back of your knee or ankle
• Unexplained fever
• Unusual bleeding or bruising, or your skin or eyes turn yellow

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Mild nausea or vomiting

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.