Gatifloxacin Ophthalmic

Gatifloxacin Ophthalmic is a prescription medication used to treat eye infections caused by bacteria. 

• Gatifloxacin Ophthalmic is available under various brand names: Zymaxid 

Common side effects of Gatifloxacin Ophthalmic include:

• Mild itching, burning, redness, or irritation.
• Watery eyes; or
• Puffy eyelids.

Serious side effects of Gatifloxacin Ophthalmic include:

• Hives. 
• Difficulty breathing. 
• Slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting. 
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Eye swelling, severe discomfort, crusting or drainage (may be signs of a new infection); or 
• Any new or worsening eye problems

Rare side effects of Nitrofurantoin include:

• None

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

Ophthalmic solution

• 0.3%
• 0.5%

Bacterial conjunctivitis

Adult and pediatric dosage

Zymaxid:

• Aged above one year and adolescents
• Day 1: Instill 1 drop into the affected eye(s) every 2 hours while awake (maximum: 8 times/day).
• Days 2 to 7: Instill 1 drop into the affected eye(s) 2 to 4 times/day while awake.

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Gatifloxacin Ophthalmic has no noted severe interactions with any other drugs.
• Gatifloxacin Ophthalmic has no noted serious interactions with any other drugs.
• Gatifloxacin Ophthalmic has no noted moderate interactions with any other drugs.
• Gatifloxacin Ophthalmic has no noted minor interactions with any other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to Gatifloxacin or other fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin, and others).
• All drugs or conditions that prolong QT interval
• Children below one year old
• low levels of magnesium or potassium in your blood.

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Gatifloxacin Ophthalmic?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Gatifloxacin Ophthalmic?”

Cautions

• Gatifloxacin may cause swelling or tear of a tendon (the fiber that connects bones to muscles in the body), especially in the Achilles tendon of the heel. This can happen during treatment or up to several months after you stop taking gemifloxacin. Tendon problems may be more likely to occur if you are over 60, if you take steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant.
• Do not touch the tip of the eye dropper or place it directly on your eye. A contaminated dropper can infect your eye, which could lead to serious vision problems.
• Do not use the eye drops if the liquid has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.
• You should not wear contact lenses while you still have active symptoms of an eye infection.
• Do not use other eye medications during treatment with Gatifloxacin Ophthalmic unless your doctor tells you to.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• It is not known whether Gatifloxacin Ophthalmic will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
• Lactation
  • It is not known whether Gatifloxacin Ophthalmic passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby.