Gatifloxacin Ophthalmic

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.

Gatifloxacin comes as an ophthalmic solution (liquid) to be instilled in the eyes. It is usually instilled every 2 hours while awake (up to eight times a day) for 2 days, and then four times a day for 5 days. Instill gatifloxacin eye drops 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 eye drops until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop using gatifloxacin eye drops too soon, your infection may not be completely cured and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

Toinstill the eye drops, follow these steps:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

2. Check the dropper tip to make sure that it is not chipped or cracked.

3. Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or anything else; eye drops and droppers must be kept clean.

4. While tilting your head back, pull down the lower lid of your eye with your index finger to form a pocket.

5. Hold the dropper (tip down) with the other hand, as close to the eye as possible without touching it.

6. Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your face.

7. While looking up, gently squeeze the dropper so that a single drop falls into the pocket made by the lower eyelid. Remove your index finger from the lower eyelid.

8. Close your eye for 2 to 3 minutes and tip your head down as though looking at the floor. Try not to blink or squeeze your eyelids.

9. Place a finger on the tear duct and apply gentle pressure.

10. Wipe any excess liquid from your face with a tissue.

11. If you are to use more than one drop in the same eye, wait at least 5 minutes before instilling the next drop.

12. Replace and tighten the cap on the dropper bottle. Do not wipe or rinse the dropper tip.

13. Wash your hands to remove any medication.

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

Before using gatifloxacin eye drops,

• 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 US), levofloxacin (Levaquin, Quixin, Iquix), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox, Vigamox), nalidixic acid (NegGram) (not available in the US); norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin, Ocuflox), sparfloxacin (Zagam), and trovafloxacin and alatrofloxacin combination (Trovan) (not available in the US), 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 eye drops, 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).

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

Instill the missed dose 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 instill a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Gatifloxacin eye drops 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

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, 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 eye drops may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using 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/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

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.

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 eye drops, call your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Last Revised - 05/16/2012