Gemifloxacin

Generic name: Gemifloxacin [ je-mi-FLOKS-a-sin ]
Brand name: Factive
Drug class: Quinolones and fluoroquinolones

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 27, 2024.

Uses of Gemifloxacin:

• It is used to treat bacterial infections.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Gemifloxacin?

• If you have an allergy to gemifloxacin or any other part of gemifloxacin.
• If you are allergic to gemifloxacin; any part of gemifloxacin; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have any of these health problems: Long QT on ECG, low magnesium levels, or low potassium levels.
• If you have ever had any of these health problems: Nerve problems or tendon problems.
• If you have had tendons get irritated or torn when taking gemifloxacin or an alike drug in the past.
• If you have an aortic aneurysm (ballooning or bulging of the aorta, the main blood vessel that comes out of the heart) or you are at risk for this health problem. This includes if you have other blood vessel problems, high blood pressure, or certain health problems like Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
• If you have been taking any drugs to treat a heartbeat that is not normal.
• If you are taking any drugs that can cause a certain type of heartbeat that is not normal (prolonged QT interval). There are many drugs that can do this. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with gemifloxacin.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take gemifloxacin with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Gemifloxacin?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take gemifloxacin. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how gemifloxacin affects you.
• Do not use longer than you have been told. A second infection may happen.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• High and low blood sugar has happened with drugs like this one. Most of the time, low blood sugar happened in people with diabetes who were taking drugs that lower blood sugar like insulin. Very low blood sugar has led to coma and sometimes death. Check blood sugar as you have been told by the doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you have signs of high or low blood sugar like breath that smells like fruit, dizziness, fast breathing, fast heartbeat, feeling confused, feeling sleepy, feeling weak, flushing, headache, more thirsty or hungry, passing urine more often, shaking, or sweating.
• You may get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen and wear clothing and eyewear that protects you from the sun.
• Very bad and sometimes deadly allergic side effects have rarely happened. Talk with your doctor.
• Rarely, very bad and sometimes deadly effects have happened with gemifloxacin. These include muscle or joint, kidney, liver, blood, and other problems. Talk with the doctor if you have questions.
• Call your doctor right away if you have signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• A rare but severe problem with the main blood vessel that comes out of the heart (aorta) has happened within 2 months after taking drugs like this one, especially in the elderly. This includes tears or bursting of the aorta. This can lead to severe bleeding and even death. The cause for this effect is not known. Call your doctor right away if you have sudden pain in the stomach, chest, or back that is severe and does not go away.
• If you are over the age of 60, use gemifloxacin with care. You could have more side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

How is this medicine (Gemifloxacin) best taken?

Use gemifloxacin as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take gemifloxacin at the same time of day.
• Take with or without food.
• Swallow whole with a full glass of water.
• Drink lots of noncaffeine liquids every day unless told to drink less liquid by your doctor.
• Do not take sucralfate, didanosine, antacids, multivitamins, or products that have magnesium, aluminum, iron, or zinc within 3 hours before or 2 hours after taking gemifloxacin.
• Keep taking gemifloxacin as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take more than 1 dose of gemifloxacin in the same day.

Related/similar drugs

amoxicillin, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, metronidazole, ceftriaxone, Augmentin

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
• Chest pain or pressure.
• Fever or chills.
• Shortness of breath.
• Any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
• Feeling very tired or weak.
• Shakiness.
• Trouble walking.
• Vaginal itching or discharge.
• Muscle pain or weakness.
• Not able to focus.
• Memory problems or loss.
• A type of abnormal heartbeat (prolonged QT interval) can happen with gemifloxacin. Call your doctor right away if you have a fast heartbeat, a heartbeat that does not feel normal, or if you pass out.
• A very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause very bad health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.
• Diarrhea is common with antibiotics. Rarely, a severe form called C diff–associated diarrhea (CDAD) may happen. Sometimes, this has led to a deadly bowel problem (colitis). CDAD may happen during or a few months after taking antibiotics. Call your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, cramps, or very loose, watery, or bloody stools. Check with your doctor before treating diarrhea.

What are some other side effects of Gemifloxacin?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Stomach pain or diarrhea.
• Headache.
• Dizziness.
• Upset stomach.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Gemifloxacin?

• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from light.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• This medicine comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time gemifloxacin is refilled. If you have any questions about gemifloxacin, please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer