Treats an eye infection caused by bacteria. This medicine is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic.
Brand Names:
Zymar
Contraindications:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to gatifloxacin or similar medicines such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro®), gemifloxacin (Factive®), levofloxacin (Levaquin®), moxifloxacin (Avelox®), norfloxacin (Noroxin®), or ofloxacin (Floxin®). Gatifloxacin that you take by mouth has the brand name Tequin®.
Uses:
Liquid, Drop
Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
Lie down or tilt your head back. With your index finger, pull down the lower lid of your eye to form a pocket.
Hold the dropper close to your eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between your lower lid and eyeball.
Close your eyes. Place your index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 minute.
Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including your eye. Put the cap back on the bottle right away. Keep the bottle upright when you are not using it.
If a dose is missed:
If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Storage:
Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of the used medicine container and any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using theophylline (Theo-Dur®), cyclosporine (Sandimmune®, Neoral®), or a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®).
Warnings:
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.
Do not wear contact lenses while you are using this medicine, unless your doctor says it is okay.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
Skin rash, redness, blistering, or peeling.
Eyes a little more sensitive to light than normal.
