Gemiflocacin belongs to a group of medicines called fluoroquinolone antibiotics. It has bactericidal effect (kills the bacteria that are causing an infection). Because of such effect it is used in the treatment of infections caused by bacteria sensitive to this drug. It is used in the treatment of the following infections:
• Respiratory tract infections
• Urinary tract infections
• Genital infections in both men and women
• Skin and soft tissue infections
• Bone in joint infections
• Gastrointestinal tract infection
After oral administration, Gemifloxacin is well absorbed (bioavailability of 70%) and distributed widely in body fluids and tissues serum half-life 8 hours. The relatively long half-life of Gemifloxacin permit once-daily dosing. Oral absorption is impaired by divalent cations; including those in antacid .serum concentrations of intravenously administered drug are similar to those of orally administered drug. Gemifloxacin. Is eliminated by renal mechanisms, either tubular secretion or glomerular filtration. Dose adjustment is required for patient with creatinine clearance less than 50mL/min, the exact adjustment depending on the degree of renal impairment.
Precautions:
Gemifloxacin should be avoided in the following conditions:
• In patients allergic to Gemifloxacin or other similar drugs, such as:
o Norfloxacin, norfloxacin, Levofloxacin and others.
o If you are experiencing symptoms of an allergy, such as:
 Itchy skin, swelling of the face, Swelling of the tongue or difficulty breathing contact your doctor immediately.
• Patients with myasthenia gravis (autoimmune neuromuscular disease).
• In patients suffering from epilepsy.
• Heart disease,
• Gemifloxacin should be avoided or used with caution in patients with known QT interval prolongation or uncorrected hypokalemia.in those receiving class IA(eg,quinidine, or procainamide) or class Ш antiarrhythmic agents(sotalol,ibutilide,amiodarone) and in patients receiving other agents known to increase QTc interval(eg,erythromycin,tricyclic antidepressant )
• In patients with kidney or liver diseases.
It can cause swelling of tendons, especially in women above the age of 60. If you are experiencing swelling of the tendons (or swelling of the muscles), discontinue use and contact your doctor immediately. Tendons connect muscle to bone.
Resting the swollen and painful tendons is necessary, because physical activity increase the chance of tendon rupture. Bear in mind that swelling of the tendons can occur several months after you have discontinued the use of Gemifloxacin.
This medicine can, like all other antibiotics, cause diarrhea. Inform your doctor if you are experiencing frequent, severe, and bloody diarrhea as this may be a sign that another infection occurred in your bowels, and such infections can be dangerous.
This medicine may cause liver damage, which is manifested by the following symptoms: jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine color, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in the right upper abdomen and others. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, discontinue use and contact your doctor immediately.
Although Gemifloxacin is used to treat infections that occur due to the low white blood cells count (agranulocytosis), it also can by itself to decrease the number of white blood cells. Decrease in the number of white blood cells, lower the immune system, and increases your susceptibility to infections. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, such as: cough, sore throat, fever, and contact your doctor immediately.
This medication can cause photosensitivity (abnormally high sensitivity to sunlight). Avoid increased exposure to sunlight and cover up the body as much as possible when you are out in the sunshine.
Gemifloxacin can worsen the symptoms of patients of psychiatric disorders. It can cause suicidal ideation. If you are experiencing any suicidal thoughts, contact your doctor immediately.
Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding:
Gemifloxacin should be avoided during pregnancy unless the benefit to the mother outweighs the risk to the child. Consult your doctor about the drug safety during the pregnancy.
Avoid breastfeeding while using this medicine. This medication passes into breast milk and may harm your baby
How to use:
Dosage in adults:
Condition (Indication) Dose
Acute uncomplicated cystitis in women 250 mg or 500 mg twice a day (every 12 hours) for three days.
Complicated cystitis and complicated pyelonephritis 500 mg twice a day (every 12 hours), for one week.
Chronic prostatitis 500 mg twice a day (every 12 hours) for 4 weeks (28 days).
Respiratory tract infections 500 mg (for severe infections dose can be increased to 750 mg) twice a day during 7 to 14 days.
Gonorrhea 500 mg once a day, for just one day.
Antibiotic prophylaxis in surgery 750 mg, an hour before the surgery.
Gastrointestinal tract infections 500 mg twice a day (every 12 hours) for 3-7 days.
Bone and joint infections 500 or 750 mg twice a day (every 12 hours), up to 3 months.
Use of Gemifloxacin in children is not recommended; If necessary to use this medication in children, then the dose should be calculated based on the child’s weight. The usual dose is 20 mg/kg of body weight.
Take your tablet whole, with a glass of water. Don’t crush or chew the tablet as this may affect its activity.it should be taken after a meal. Avoid dairy products while using this medicine because milk and dairy products may decrease the level of Gemifloxacin in the blood due to the high calcium content.
Use other medicines (interactions):
Gemifloxacin should be avoided in combination with the following drugs:
Tizanidine (muscle relaxants) a drug used in the treatment of muscle stiffness. Do not use Gemifloxacin and tizanidine concomitant because of the risk of serious side effects;
Warfarin, a drug used in the treatment of blood clotting disorders (so- called thinner) concomitant use Gemifloxacin with this drug increases the risk of bleeding.
Sildenafil (Viagra), a drug used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. This medicine increase the level of Sildenafil drug in blood, increasing the risk of side effects.
Pentoxifylline (trental, Damaton), a drug to improve peripheral circulation, Gemifloxacin increase the level of this drug in the blood and increased the risk of side effect. Phenytoin a drug used in the treatment of epilepsy, Methotrexate a drug used in treatment of cancer.Cyclosporin a drug used in the treatment of autoimmune disease, Probenecid, a drug used for gout treatment. Drugs in the treatment of diabetes.
Drug used in the cardiac arrhythmias (antiarrhythmic).drugs used in the treatment of depression and other mental disease.
Omeprazole, a drug used for eradiction of helicobacter pylori and to treat gastro esophageal reflux disease. This medicine decreases the level of Gemifloxacin in the blood. Thus reducing the efficacy of this drug. Calcium, magnesium or iron preparation (including effervescent tablets) these drugs reduce the efficacy of Gemifloxacin.
Antacid, drugs that neutralize stomach acid, these drugs reduce the effect of Gemifloxacin
Tell your doctor about all medication and herbal products you are taking.
Side effects:
Gemifloxacin may cause the following side effects:
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea,(can accompanied by blood in the stool), indigestion, flatulence, impaired taste, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, decrease in the number of blood cells(granulocytosis), flu-like symptoms (cough, fever, sore throat), liver damage, (jaundice, loss of appetite, itching, nausea, pain in the right upper), suicidal ideation (suicidal thought), mood swings, nightmares, hallucination, photosensivity, rapid heartbeat, Stevens Johnson syndrome( a sever skin disorders that is manifested by blisters on the skin that can spread), muscle pain, joint pain, tendon rupture, excessive sweating, allergy and others.
Tell your doctor if you are experiencing any side effects.
If you have any concern or question about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other health-care professional