Part Two of Tequin Information, Focusing on Side Effects, Discontinuation or Withdrawal Effects, and Additional Information

This second section of our medication database entry focuses on potential side effects, withdrawal or discontinuation effects, and additional information, while part one covers basic drug characteristics, uses and benefits.

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What are the possible side effects of gatifloxacin?

  • If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking gatifloxacin and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
    • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
    • irregular or rapid heartbeats;
    • fainting;
    • seizures;
    • liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue);
    • muscle or joint pain; or
    • a skin rash.
  • If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue taking gatifloxacin and talk to your doctor:
    • nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or diarrhea;
    • dizziness;
    • headache; or
    • increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.
  • Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect gatifloxacin?

  • Take gatifloxacin at least 4 hours before antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (e.g. Rolaids, Maalox, others); vitamin or mineral supplements that contain zinc, magnesium or iron; or didanosine chewable/buffered tablets or pediatric powder for oral solution (ddI, Videx, Videx Pediatric, others). These medicines may decrease the effectiveness of gatifloxacin.
  • Do not take gatifloxacin without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
    • the heart medicines quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute, others), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan SR, others), amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone, others), sotalol (Betapace), and others;
    • a tricyclic antidepressant including amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), amoxapine (Asendin), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), doxepin (Sinequan), and others;
    • a phenothiazine including chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), perphenazine (Trilafon), mesoridazine (Serentil), thioridazine (Mellaril), and others;
    • erythromycin (E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, E.E.S., others); or
    • cisapride (Propulsid).
  • Gatifloxacin and the drugs listed above may affect the rhythm of your heartbeats. You may not be able to take gatifloxacin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
  • Before taking gatifloxacin, tell your doctor if you are taking:
    • warfarin (Coumadin);
    • probenecid (Benemid and others);
    • digoxin (Lanoxin and others); or
    • a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail), and others.
  • You may not be able to take gatifloxacin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
  • Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with gatifloxacin. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

  • Your pharmacist has additional information about gatifloxacin written for health professionals that you may read.
  • Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Limitations and the Source of Our Online Medication Information Database

Although we have made considerable efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, MedLibrary.org makes no guarantee to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This medication information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend any specific pharmacotherapy. This is an educational resource only -- intended to supplement but not to replace the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of medically qualified healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. 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, please check with your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist. MedLibrary.org does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided here.

Full public license and copyright information is available separately from Cerner Multum, Inc.

Version: 3.01. Revision date: 4/9/03.

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