Zymaxid
Gatifloxacin
Gatifloxacin (gat i FLOKS a sin) is a generic medication. It’s an antibiotic eye drop prescribed for certain bacterial infections. Gatifloxacin belongs to a group of drugs called fluoroquinolone antibiotics.
Gatifloxacin (gat i FLOKS a sin) is a generic medication. It’s an antibiotic eye drop prescribed for certain bacterial infections. Gatifloxacin belongs to a group of drugs called fluoroquinolone antibiotics.
- Generic
- • Solution
- • 2.5ml of .5pct
- • 1 Bottle
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Brittany A. Duke, PharmD, RPh
Updated on September 15, 2023
Gatifloxacin (gat i FLOKS a sin) is a generic medication. It’s an antibiotic eye drop prescribed for certain bacterial infections. Gatifloxacin belongs to a group of drugs called fluoroquinolone antibiotics.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved gatifloxacin to treat conjunctivitis (commonly known as “pink eye”) caused by certain types of bacteria.
Side effects
Side effects of gatifloxacin
Gatifloxacin may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of gatifloxacin and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.
To learn more about gatifloxacin’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for gatifloxacin listed in the “Resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with gatifloxacin are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about gatifloxacin’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for gatifloxacin listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Gatifloxacin eye drops’ mild side effects include:
- eye irritation
- altered sense of taste
- eye pain
- dry eye
- mild allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for gatifloxacin” section.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of gatifloxacin are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about gatifloxacin’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for gatifloxacin listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
In general, gatifloxacin’s serious side effects include:
- worsening conjunctivitis (commonly known as “pink eye”)
- severe swelling of the eyelid
- severe allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for gatifloxacin” section.
FAQ
Common questions about gatifloxacin
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about gatifloxacin.
What brand names are available for gatifloxacin?
Gatifloxacin is a generic medication. Zymaxid is the brand-name version.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less compared to brand-name drugs.
If you have questions comparing gatifloxacin and Zymaxid, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How does gatifloxacin work? And how long does it take to start working?
Gatifloxacin is an antibiotic eye drop. It works by blocking certain enzymes in bacteria. An enzyme is a protein that speeds up certain chemical reactions in the body.
These enzymes help bacterial cells copy their DNA and make more bacteria. So when gatifloxacin blocks these enzymes, the bacteria cannot grow and make more bacteria. This kills the bacteria and stops the spread of the eye infection.
Gatifloxacin starts working right away. You’ll typically need to use gatifloxacin eye drops for 7 days in a row to fully treat a bacterial eye infection.
If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Uses
Uses of gatifloxacin
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as gatifloxacin for certain conditions. Approved uses for gatifloxacin are described below.
Use for bacterial eye infections
Doctors may prescribe gatifloxacin eye drops for treating bacterial conjunctivitis caused by certain types of bacteria. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children ages 1 year and older. It’s prescribed as a short-term treatment.
Bacterial conjunctivitis is commonly known as “pink eye”. It can occur when the conjunctiva becomes infected. The conjunctiva is the tissue covering the eye’s outer surface. It also lines the eyelids. Symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis often include eye redness, itching, and drainage.
Interactions and warnings
Interactions and warnings for gatifloxacin
Below you’ll find information about gatifloxacin’s possible interactions and warnings.
Interactions of gatifloxacin
Gatifloxacin eye drops aren’t known to interact with any medications or supplements. (Interactions can affect how a drug works.) But this doesn’t mean drug interactions with gatifloxacin won’t happen or be reported sometime. For instance, medications created at a later time could interact with gatifloxacin.
Because of this, you should ask your doctor and pharmacist about possible interactions with gatifloxacin. They can check for any interactions that may affect you, such as those with:
- vaccines
- foods or alcohol
- other drugs
Warnings for gatifloxacin
Gatifloxacin should not be used by certain people.
Gatifloxacin could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether gatifloxacin is a safe option for you.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for gatifloxacin, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Gatifloxacin can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to gatifloxacin or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe gatifloxacin. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.
A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
- swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
- swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems
If you have an allergic reaction to gatifloxacin, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Overdose of gatifloxacin
You should not apply more gatifloxacin eye drops than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you think you’ve used too much gatifloxacin, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding and gatifloxacin
Information about gatifloxacin and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Gatifloxacin and pregnancy
It’s not known whether gatifloxacin should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.
Gatifloxacin and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether gatifloxacin should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication.
Ask your doctor
What to ask your doctor
Let your doctor know if you have questions about gatifloxacin or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Should I apply gatifloxacin eye drops to my left eye, right eye, or both eyes?
- Can I wear my contact lenses at any time during treatment with gatifloxacin eye drops?
- Can I safely continue using my other eye drop medications while using gatifloxacin eye drops?
Resources
Resources
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
- Gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution, 0.5% for topical ophthalmic use. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/14312de6-67d4-4de2-854c-ef764090dd83/spl-doc
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
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