Gatifloxacin
About
Gatifloxacin belongs to the class of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones, primarily used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis. Bacterial conjunctivitis is the infection of the outer white membrane of the eyeball, the conjunctiva. This infection is highly contagious. Signs and symptoms include pink/red-toned eyes, gritty feeling in eyes, itchiness in eyes, teary eyes, and thick discharge around the eyes.
Gatifloxacin contains Gatifloxacin, which kills bacteria (bactericidal action) by preventing the synthesis of enzymes, namely DNA gyrase and Topoisomerase IV, which is essential for the growth and survival of the bacterial cell. Gatifloxacin has a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity against aerobic gram-positive and aerobic gram-negative bacteria.
Use Gatifloxacin as prescribed by your doctor. Gatifloxacin is only for use in eyes. You are advised to use Gatifloxacin for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects such as eye irritation, eye redness, blurred vision, and watery eyes. Most of these side effects of Gatifloxacin do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Before starting Gatifloxacin, please inform your doctor if you have any allergies to any antibiotic or have kidney/liver problems. You should not wear contact lenses while you have symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis or while you are applying Gatifloxacin. Consult your doctor before taking Gatifloxacin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Gatifloxacin is not recommended for children below 1 year. However, please consult a doctor before giving Gatifloxacin to children. Gatifloxacin may cause temporary vision problems (blurred vision), so be cautious while driving and operating machinery.
Uses of Gatifloxacin
Medicinal Benefits
Gatifloxacin belongs to the group of medicines called fluoroquinolone antibiotics used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis. It kills bacteria (bactericidal action) by preventing the synthesis of enzymes, namely DNA gyrase and Topoisomerase IV, which is essential for the growth and survival of the bacterial cell. Gatifloxacin has a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity against aerobic gram-positive and aerobic gram-negative bacteria. Gatifloxacin has a very low level of bacterial resistance compared to other antibiotics.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Gatifloxacin
- Eye irritation
- Eye redness
- Blurred vision
- Watery eyes
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Gatifloxacin if you are allergic or have had a severe reaction to the quinolone or fluoroquinolone antibiotics. You should not wear contact lenses while you have symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis or while you are using Gatifloxacin. Please inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before starting Gatifloxacin. Gatifloxacin is not recommended for children below 1 year of age as the safety and effectiveness have not been established. Also, inform your doctor about all other medications you have been taking before starting Gatifloxacin. Gatifloxacin may cause temporary blurred vision, so it is advised not to drive or operate machinery until your vision is clear.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: No interaction found
Drug-Food Interaction: No interaction found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Gatifloxacin should not be given to patients with fungal infections.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionInteraction of alcohol with Gatifloxacin is not known. Consult your doctor before consuming alcohol while on treatment with Gatifloxacin.
Pregnancy
cautionIt is not known whether Gatifloxacin will affect pregnant women. Therefore, consult a doctor before using Gatifloxacin if you are pregnant.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is unknown if Gatifloxacin passes into breastmilk. Consult your doctor before taking Gatifloxacin if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionGatifloxacin usually causes temporarily blurred vision. Therefore, avoid driving or operating machinery until your vision is clear.
Liver
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have any liver problems.
Kidney
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have any kidney problems.
Children
cautionGatifloxacin is not recommended for children below 1 year of age. However, please consult a doctor before giving Gatifloxacin to children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat probiotics and a diet rich in vitamins as it may help to improve eye health and ward off infection.
- Rinse your eyes regularly with clean water.
- Eat fiber-rich food like whole grains, beans, lentils, berries, broccoli, peas, and bananas.
- Avoid foods rich in calcium, grapefruit, and grapefruit juice as they might hinder the absorption of antibiotics.
- Avoid usage of tobacco and alcohol.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial conjunctivitis: It is also known as pink eye, a condition in which the outer membrane of the eyeball gets swollen and infected. Common signs and symptoms include red-toned eyes with a thick discharge and itchiness. It is highly contagious in nature and can spread from one person to another.
FAQs
Gatifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that works by inhibiting the synthesis of DNA gyrase and Topoisomerase IV required for the growth and survival of the bacterial cell. This prevents the bacteria from repairing and multiplying. Thereby, helping in treating the infections.
Gatifloxacin should be taken in the dose and duration as advised by the doctor. If you take more than the recommended dose, it might cause unpleasant side effects. If you think your symptoms are not improving, please consult your doctor.
Do not take Gatifloxacin on your own as self-medication may lead to antibiotic-resistance in which antibiotics fail to act against specific bacterial infections.
Do not touch the tip of the dropper as it may contaminate the solution. Try not to share personal items until your eye infection is cured.
Do not wear contact lenses while using Gatifloxacin as it could lead to the development of crystals on the contact lens. Wait for at least 15minutes after using Gatifloxacin before wearing the contact lens.
