Brand Name(s):

• Factive®

IMPORTANT WARNING

Taking gemifloxacin increases the risk that you will develop tendinitis (swelling of a fibrous tissue that connects a bone to a muscle) or have a tendon rupture (tearing of a fibrous tissue that connects a bone to a muscle) during your treatment or for up to several months afterward. These problems may affect tendons in your shoulder, your hand, the back of your ankle, or in other parts of your body. Tendinitis or tendon rupture may happen to people of any age, but the risk is highest in people over 60 years of age. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant; kidney disease; a joint or tendon disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis (a condition in which the body attacks its own joints, causing pain, swelling, and loss of function); or if you participate in regular physical activity. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking oral or injectable steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexpak), methylprednisolone (Medrol), or prednisone (Sterapred). If you experience any of the following symptoms of tendinitis, stop taking gemifloxacin, rest, and call your doctor immediately: pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or difficulty in moving a muscle. If you experience any of the following symptoms of tendon rupture, stop taking gemifloxacin and get emergency medical treatment: hearing or feeling a snap or pop in a tendon area, bruising after an injury to a tendon area, or inability to move or to bear weight on an affected area.

Taking gemifloxacin may worsen muscle weakness in people with myasthenia gravis (a disorder of the nervous system that causes muscle weakness) and cause severe difficulty breathing or death. Tell your doctor if you have myasthenia gravis. Your doctor may tell you not to take gemifloxacin. If you have myasthenia gravis and your doctor tells you that you should take gemifloxacin, call your doctor immediately if you experience muscle weakness or difficulty breathing during your treatment.

Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking gemifloxacin.

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

Gemifloxacin is used to treat certain infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis. Gemifloxacin is in a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. It works by killing bacteria that cause infections. Antibiotics do not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

HOW should this medicine be used?

Gemifloxacin comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food once a day for 5 or 7 days. The length of your treatment depends on the type of infection you have. Your doctor will tell you how long to take gemifloxacin. Take gemifloxacin at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take gemifloxacin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow the tablets whole with plenty of water; do not split, chew, or crush them.

You should begin feeling better during the first few days of treatment with gemifloxacin. If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.

Take gemifloxacin until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. Do not stop taking gemifloxacin unless you experience the symptoms of tendinitis or tendon rupture described in the IMPORTANT WARNING section or the symptoms of allergic reaction described in the SIDE EFFECTS section. If you stop taking gemifloxacin too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

Before taking gemifloxacin,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic or have had a severe reaction to gemifloxacin or any other quinolone or fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), gatifloxacin (Tequin) (not available in the U.S.), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin) (not available in the U.S.), moxifloxacin (Avelox), nalidixic acid (NegGram), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), and sparfloxacin (Zagam) (not available in the U.S.); any other medications; or if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in gemifloxacin. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); certain antidepressants; antipsychotics (medications to treat mental illness); cisapride (Propulsid) (not available in the U.S.); diuretics ('water pills'); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin, others); hormone replacement therapy; certain medications for irregular heartbeat such as amiodarone (Cordarone), procainamide (Procanbid), quinidine, and sotalol (Betapace, Betapace AF, Sorine); nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, others); or probenecid (in Col-Probenecid, Probalan). Your doctor need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• if you are taking antacids containing aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide (Maalox, Mylanta, Tums, others); didanosine (Videx); sucralfate (Carafate); or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron, magnesium, or zinc, take these medications 3 hours before or 2 hours after you take gemifloxacin.
• tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had a prolonged QT interval (a rare heart problem that may cause mayirregular heartbeat, fainting, or sudden death) or an irregular heartbeat, and if you have or have ever had nerve problems, a low level of potassium or magnesium in your blood, seizures, cerebral arteriosclerosis (narrowing of blood vessels in or near the brain that can lead to stroke or ministroke), a slow heartbeat, chest pain, or liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking gemifloxacin, call your doctor.
• you should know that gemifloxacin may cause confusion, dizziness, lightheadedness, and tiredness. Do not drive a car, operate machinery, or participate in activities requiring alertness or coordination until you know how this medication affects you.
• plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light (sunlamps or tanning beds) and wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Gemifloxacin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight or ultraviolet light. If your skin becomes reddened, swollen, or blistered, like a bad sunburn, call your doctor.

What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?

Make sure you drink plenty of water or other fluids every day while you are taking gemifloxacin.

What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take more than one dose of gemifloxacin in one day.

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?

What should I know about STORAGE and DISPOSAL of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light and excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to gemifloxacin.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish taking gemifloxacin, call your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

Selected Revisions: June 15, 2011.