Gemifloxacin tablets

What are Gemifloxacin tablets?
GEMIFLOXACIN (Factive�) is an antibacterial agent. It kills certain bacteria or stops their growth. It is used to treat bronchitis and pneumonia. Generic gemifloxacin tablets are not yet available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
�diabetes
�heart disease, slow heart beat, recent heart attack
�liver or kidney disease
�long exposure to sunlight (working outdoors)
�low potassium or magnesium levels
�seizures (convulsions)
�stomach problems (especially colitis)
�stroke
�other chronic conditions
�an unusual reaction to Gemifloxacin, other fluoroquinolone antibiotics, medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
�pregnant or trying to get pregnant
�breast-feeding

How should this medicine be used?
Take gemifloxacin tablets by mouth with or without food. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow tablets whole with a full glass of water. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with Gemifloxacin?
�aluminum salts
�antacids
�arsenic trioxide
�astemizole
�bepridil
�certain medicines to control the heart rhythm (e.g., amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, flecainide, ibutilide, quinidine, procainamide, propafenone, sotalol)
�certain medicines for depression or mental problems (e.g., amoxapine, haloperidol, maprotiline, phenothiazines, risperidone, sertindole, ziprasidone)
�cisapride
�clarithromycin
�cyclobenzaprine
�didanosine (ddI)
�dolasetron
�doxercalciferol
�droperidol
�erythromycin
�levomethadyl
�iron (ferrous sulfate) preparations
�magnesium salicylate
�magnesium salts
�manganese
�multivitamins containing iron, manganese, or zinc
�NSAIDs such as Advil�, Aleve�, ibuprofen, Motrin�, naproxen
�pentamidine
�probenecid
�probucol
�quinapril
�retinoid products such as tretinoin (Retin-A�, Renova�) or isotretinoin (Accutan�)
�sevelamer
�sucralfate
�terfenadine
�troleandomycin
�zinc salts

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from receiving Gemifloxacin?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Rare or uncommon:
�confusion
�difficulty breathing
�irregular heartbeat, palpitations or chest pain
�joint, muscle or tendon pain
�numbness or tingling in hands or feet
�redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
�seizures
�severe or watery diarrhea
�skin rash, itching
�swelling of the face or neck
�tremor or restlessness
�unusual tiredness or weakness
�vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
�mild diarrhea
�dizziness
�headache
�nausea or stomach upset
�taste disturbance

What should I watch for while taking Gemifloxacin?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 2 to 3 days. If you get an unusual reaction stop taking gemifloxacin and call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.

Make sure you stay well hydrated while taking gemifloxacin. Drink several glasses of water a day. This helps to prevent crystals of the drug from developing in your urine.

If you are a diabetic, monitor your blood glucose carefully while on this medicine. Contact your healthcare professional immediately if there are significant changes in your blood sugar.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how gemifloxacin affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient.

Many antacids and multivitamins can interfere with absorption of gemifloxacin. This may stop gemifloxacin from working. Make sure it has been at least 3 hours since you last took gemifloxacin before taking any of these products.

Keep out of the sun, or wear protective clothing outdoors and use a sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or sun tanning beds or booths.

If you notice pain or swelling of a tendon or around a joint, stop taking gemifloxacin. Rest the affected area and call your healthcare provider. Do not exercise or resume taking gemifloxacin until your healthcare provider tells you to do so.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking gemifloxacin.

Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

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