Gatifloxacin Drops

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Pronunciation: ga-ti-FLOKS-a-sin
Generic Name: Gatifloxacin
Brand Name: Zymar
Gatifloxacin Drops are used for:

Treating eye infections caused by certain bacteria.

Gatifloxacin Drops are a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. It works by stopping the production of proteins that bacteria need to survive.

Do NOT use Gatifloxacin Drops if: you are allergic to any ingredient in Gatifloxacin Drops or similar medicines (eg, ciprofloxacin)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Gatifloxacin Drops:

Some medical conditions may interact with Gatifloxacin Drops. Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement if you have allergies to medicines or other substances if you wear contact lenses if you have heart problems, including a slow heartbeat, a history of lack of blood supply to your heart, or hardening of the arteries if you have a history of low blood potassium levels, diabetes, or kidney or liver problems if you have Alzheimer disease, tendonitis, a history of seizures or other central nervous system problems, or increased pressure in the head

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Gatifloxacin Drops. Because little, if any, of Gatifloxacin Drops are absorbed into the blood, the risk of it interacting with another medicine is low. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines.

Ask your health care provider if Gatifloxacin Drops may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Gatifloxacin Drops:

Use Gatifloxacin Drops as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Gatifloxacin Drops are only for the eye. Do not get it in your nose or mouth. To use Gatifloxacin Drops in the eye, first, wash your hands. Tilt your head back. Using your index finger, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Drop the medicine into the pouch and gently close your eyes. Immediately use your finger to apply pressure to the inside corner of the eyelid for 1 to 2 minutes. Do not blink. Remove excess medicine around your eye with a clean, dry tissue, being careful not to touch your eye. Wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them. To prevent germs from contaminating your medicine, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface, including the eye. Keep the container tightly closed. Remove excess medicine around your eye with a clean tissue, being careful not to touch your eye. Wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them. If you are using other kinds of eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes before applying the other medicines. Do not wear contact lenses while you are using Gatifloxacin Drops. Take care of your contact lenses as directed by the manufacturer. Check with your doctor before you use them. Gatifloxacin Drops works best if it is used at the same time each day. To clear up your infection completely, use Gatifloxacin Drops for the full course of treatment. Keep using it even if you feel better in a few days. Discard the medicine if it changes color, turns cloudy, or if it contains particles. If you miss a dose of Gatifloxacin Drops, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Gatifloxacin Drops.

Important safety information: If your symptoms do not get better within 7 days or if they get worse, check with your doctor. Gatifloxacin Drops may cause temporary blurred vision. Use Gatifloxacin Drops with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks if you cannot see clearly. Long-term or repeated use of Gatifloxacin Drops may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this. Be sure to use Gatifloxacin Drops for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future. Gatifloxacin Drops may cause harm if it is swallowed. If you may have taken it by mouth, contact your poison control center or emergency room right away. Gatifloxacin Drops should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 1 year old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed. PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Gatifloxacin Drops while you are pregnant. It is not known if Gatifloxacin Drops are found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Gatifloxacin Drops, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby. Possible side effects of Gatifloxacin Drops:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Bad taste in the mouth; blurred vision; eye discharge; headache; irritation, pain, dryness, or redness of the eyes; itchy eyes; tearing; watery eyes.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); persistent eye redness; swelling of the eye or eyelid.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Gatifloxacin Drops:

Store Gatifloxacin Drops between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not freeze. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Gatifloxacin Drops out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information: If you have any questions about Gatifloxacin Drops, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Gatifloxacin Drops are to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people. If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor. Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Gatifloxacin Drops. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012 Database Edition 12.1.1.002 Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. More Gatifloxacin resources Gatifloxacin Use in Pregnancy & BreastfeedingGatifloxacin Support Group7 Reviews for Gatifloxacin - Add your own review/rating Compare Gatifloxacin with other medications ConjunctivitisConjunctivitis, BacterialOphthalmic Surgery

Gatifloxacin Drops

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