GATETHIX™

5 ML

Gatifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used for the treatment of bacterial infections. It is available as oral (tablet, syrup and suspension), injection and ophthalmic (eye drops and ointment) forms.

The oral and injection forms are used to treat bacterial infections that affect the nose, throat, tonsils, sinus, skin, throat, lungs, or urinary tract. Eye drops and eye ointment are used to treat eye infections. The oral and injectable forms of Gatifloxacin has been banned for use due to the adverse effect of abnormally high or low blood sugar levels in the body. However, Gatifloxacin eye drops and eye ointment is considered to be safe for use. It is effective against a large number of bacteria. It kills or prevents the growth of bacteria in the body. It is not effective against infections caused by viruses.

Major & minor side effects for Gatifloxacin

• Discharge from eyes
• Eye irritation
• Eye pain
• Eye swelling
• Dry eyes
• Diarrhoea

What is it prescribed for?

• Bacterial Conjunctivitis

  Bacterial conjunctivitis or pink eye is a bacterial eye infection affecting the conjunctiva (a clear tissue covering the white part of your eye and lines the inside of the eyelid). It is more common in children and can be treated quickly. Gatifloxacin eye drops and ointment are used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis.

• Bronchitis

  Bronchitis is the swelling and irritation of bronchial tubes that regulates air passage in the lungs. Gatifloxacin is used to treat bronchitis caused by bacteria.

• Community acquired pneumonia

  Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) refers to pneumonia (lung infection) that is acquired outside the hospital. CAP can be bacterial or viral. Gatifloxacin is used to treat CAP caused by bacteria like Mycoplasma pneumonia, Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenzae, etc.

• Urinary tract infections

  An infection in any part of your urinary system- the kidneys, bladder, ureters, or urethra is called urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTIs are the most common infections in humans and woman are at greater risk of getting this infection. UTIs are caused by bacteria and in some cases, viruses or fungi. Gatifloxacin is used to treat urinary tract infections caused by bacteria.

Commonly asked questions

• Onset of action

  Gatifloxacin eye drops start working within 24 hours of administration. You will start to feel better in 3 to 5 days after using gatifloxacin eye drops. But finish your entire course of treatment, even if the condition gets better.

• Duration of effect

  The effects of gatifloxacin eye drop last for about 2 to 4 hours. You may have to administer your next dose after 2 to 4 hours as directed by your doctor/pharmacist.

• Safe with alcohol?

  Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

• Is it habit forming?

  No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Gatifloxacin.

• Usage in pregnancy?

  Oral and Injectables: Gatifloxacin is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Eye drops and eye ointment: It is not known whether Gatifloxacin will harm an unborn baby. Inform your doctor that you are pregnant. It is acceptable to use upon your doctor's recommendation. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor.

• Usage while breast-feeding?

  Oral and Injectables: Gatifloxacin is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. Eye drops and eye ointment: It is not known whether Gatifloxacin passes into breast milk or if it could affect the nursing baby. Inform your doctor that you are breast-feeding. It is acceptable to use upon your doctor's recommendation.

• Allergy

Avoid taking/using Gatifloxacin if you are previously allergic to it. Serious allergic reactions to this medicine are rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulties, etc.

• Tendinitis or tendon rupture

Gatifloxacin can cause muscle damage especially in old age. Do not use Gatifloxacin if you have tendonitis (swelling of fibres that attach bone with muscles) or tendon rupture (a partial or complete tear of the tendon- the tissue that connects muscle to bone).

Warnings for special population

• Pregnancy

Oral and Injectables: Gatifloxacin is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Eye drops and eye ointment: It is not known whether Gatifloxacin will harm an unborn baby. Inform your doctor that you are pregnant. It is acceptable to use upon your doctor's recommendation. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor.

• Breast-feeding

Oral and Injectables: Gatifloxacin is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. Eye drops and eye ointment: It is not known whether Gatifloxacin passes into breast milk or if it could affect the nursing baby. Inform your doctor that you are breast-feeding. It is acceptable to use upon your doctor's recommendation.

General warnings

• Antibiotic resistance

Finish your entire course of treatment with Gatifloxacin, even if the condition gets better to avoid antibiotic resistance (the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics). If you still feel unwell after completing your antibiotic course, make an appointment to consult your doctor.

• Contact lenses

Do not wear contact lenses when you are suffering from an eye infection.

• Tablet, syrup, suspension and injection

The oral and injectable forms of Gatifloxacin has been banned for use due to dysglycemia adverse event reports (abnormally high or low blood sugar levels in the body).

• Missed Dose

Try not to skip a dose of Gatifloxacin. And if a dose is skipped, do not add it up to the next dose.

• Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention in case of an overdose with Gatifloxacin.

All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.

Interaction with Alcohol

• Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

• Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Interaction with Medicine

• Digoxin

Disease interactions

Diabetes

Gatifloxacin can increase or decrease blood glucose levels and hence should be used cautiously in diabetic patients. Frequent monitoring of blood glucose levels is necessary. Suitable dose adjustments or an alternate medicine should be considered based on the clinical condition.

• QT Prolongation

Gatifloxacin may cause a heart rhythm problem called prolonged QT intervals (an electrical heartbeat disturbance) in some patients who are taking heart medications. It may result in fast, rapid, and irregular heartbeats.

Food interactions

Information not available.

Lab interactions

Information not available.

This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.

General Instructions

Oral forms: Take Gatifloxacin as instructed by the doctor. Never take more than the prescribed dose. Take this medicine at around the same time daily. Do not give your medicine to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.

Injection: Gatifloxacin should be administered by a qualified healthcare professional in a clinic or hospital.

Topical forms: Gatifloxacin is for external use only. Administer it as directed by the doctor. Do not touch your eyes with unwashed hands. Avoid sharing items like eyeglasses, contact lenses, pillows, towels, clothes, eye or face makeup when you are infected. Use this eye drop at around the same time daily for the ease of remembering. Ensure that the treatment course is completed.

Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works

Gatifloxacin stops the action of a bacterial enzyme called DNA-gyrase. This helps to kill or prevent the growth of bacteria in the body.

Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Unknown

Unknown

Classification

• Category

Fluoroquinolones, Antibiotics

• Schedule

Schedule H

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Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - GATIFLOXACIN solution/ drops. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 19 February 2021].

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=14312de6-67d4-4de2-854c-ef764090dd83>

Drugs, H., 2021. Gatifloxacin Ophthalmic: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 19 February 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a605012.html>

Go.drugbank.com. 2021. Gatifloxacin | DrugBank Online. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 19 February 2021].

https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB01044>