GATIFLOXACIN OPHTHALMIC

(GAT i FLOX a sin off THAL mik) Brand: Zymar, Zymaxid

What is the most significant information I must know about gatifloxacin ophthalmic?

• You must not use this medicine if you allergic to gatifloxacin ophthalmic.

• Till using this medicine, speak your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to gatifloxacin (Tequin) or similar medications such as levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), ofloxacin (Floxin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), and others.

• Avoid wearing contact lenses while you still have active symptoms of the eye infection you are treating. Do not use another eye drops or medications during treatment unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

• Do not let the dropper tip to touch any surface, including the eyes or hands. If the dropper becomes contaminated it could reason an infection in your eye, which can lead to vision loss or serious hurt to the eye.

• Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as severe swelling, burning, redness, or discomfort, eye pain or vision changes, signs of new eye infection (drainage, crusting, or oozing), or the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild.

What is gatifloxacin ophthalmic?

• Gatifloxacin is an antibiotic in a group of drugs called fluoroquinolones (flor-o-KWIN-o-lones). Gatifloxacin fights bacteria in the body.

• Gatifloxacin ophthalmic (for the eyes) is used to treat eye infections caused by bacteria.

• Gatifloxacin ophthalmic may also be used for purposes not listed in this medicine guide.

What must I discuss with my healthcare provider till using gatifloxacin ophthalmic?

• You must not use this medicine if you allergic to gatifloxacin ophthalmic.

• FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether gatifloxacin ophthalmic will harm an unborn child. Speak your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

• It is not known whether gatifloxacin ophthalmic passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing child. Do not use this medicine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

• Do not use gatifloxacin eye drops in a baby younger than 1 year old without medical advice.

How must I use gatifloxacin ophthalmic?

• Use exactly as predesigned by your doctor. Do not use in larger or less amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

• You may need to use the eye drops each 2 hours for the first couple of days, and then each 4 hours for the rest of your treatment. Follow your doctor's instructions.

• Wash your hands till using the eye drops.

• To apply the eye drops:

· Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to make a little pocket. Keep the dropper above the eye with the tip down. Look up and away from the dropper as you squeeze out a drop, then close your eye.

· Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed.

· Gently press your finger to the internal corner of the eye (near your nose) for about 1 minute to hold the liquid from draining into your tear duct. If you use more than one drop in the same eye, wait about 5 minutes till putting in the following drop.

· Also wait at least 10 minutes till using any another eye drops that your doctor has prescribed.

• Do not use the eye drops if the liquid has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.

• Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze. Hold the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Use the missed doze as soon as you remember. Skip the missed doze if it is nearly time for your following scheduled doze. Do not use extra medication to create up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

• An overdose of gatifloxacin ophthalmic is not expected to be dangerous. Search abnormal medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.

What must I avoid while using gatifloxacin ophthalmic?

• You must not wear contact lenses while you still have active symptoms of the eye infection you are treating.

• Do not use another eye medications during treatment with gatifloxacin ophthalmic unless your doctor tells you to.

What are the possible side effects of gatifloxacin ophthalmic?

• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; slow heart course, weak pulse, fainting; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

· severe swelling, burning, redness, or discomfort in or near your eye;

· eye pain, vision changes, heighten sensitivity of your eyes to light;

· signs of new infection, such as drainage, crusting, or oozing of your eyes or eyelids; or

· the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild.

• Smaller serious side effects may include:

· mild itching, burning, redness, or irritation;

· watery eyes;

· puffy eyelids;

· headache; or

· unpleasant taste in your mouth after using the drops.

• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What another drugs will affect gatifloxacin ophthalmic?

• It is not likely that another drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on gatifloxacin ophthalmic used in the eyes. But much drugs can interact with every another. Speak your doctor about all medicines you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal commodity. Do not start a new medicine without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about gatifloxacin ophthalmic.

Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.

Disclaim: Each effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses external of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way must be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safety, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the help of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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