Gatifloxacin

Ophthalmic
Bacterial conjunctivitis

Known hypersensitivity to gatifloxacin, other quinolones.

Medication should not to be introduced into the anterior chamber of the eye. Pregnancy and lactation.

Conjunctival irritation, increased lacrimation, keratitis, papillary conjunctivitis, chemosis, conjunctival haemorrhage, ocular dryness and redness, ocular discharge/irritation/pain, eyelid oedema, headache, reduced visual acuity, and taste disturbance.
Potentially Fatal: Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis; fungal or bacterial superinfection.

Ophth: C

Contact lenses should not be worn during treatment. Avoid contamination of the applicator tip w/ material from the eye, fingers or other sources.

Monitor signs of infection. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy and fluorescein staining may be necessary for careful monitoring.

Additive effect w/ drugs that prolong QT interval e.g. antiarrhythmic agents (amiodarone, quinidine, sotalol), arsenic trioxide, cisapride, chlorpromazine, droperidol, mefloquine, dolasetron, mesoridazine, moxifloxacin, pimozide, tacrolimus, pentamidine, thioridazine, ziprasidone. Increased risk of blood glucose disturbances w/ drugs that alter blood glucose concentrations (e.g. antidiabetics). Systemic admin may elevate plasma concentrations of theophylline, interfere caffeine metabolism, enhance effects of oral anticoagulant (warfarin and its derivatives), and transient elevations in serum creatinine w/ ciclosporin.

Description: Gatifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial which acts by inhibiting DNA synthesis in susceptible organisms via inhibition of both DNA gyrase (essential for bacterial reproduction) and topoisomerase IV (essential during bacterial cell division).
Pharmacokinetics:
Absorption: Not measurable.
Distribution: Widely distributed into body tissues. Plasma protein binding: Approx 20%.
Metabolism: Limited metabolism.
Excretion: Via urine mainly as unchanged drug w/ <1% as metabolites; faeces (approx 5% as unchanged drug). Elimination half-life: 7-14 hr.

Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Database. Gatifloxacin, CID=5379, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Gatifloxacin (accessed on Jan. 22, 2020)

Store between 15-25°C. Protect from freezing.

Quinolones / Eye Anti-Infectives & Antiseptics

Anon. Gatifloxacin (EENT). AHFS Clinical Drug Information [online]. Bethesda, MD. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. https://www.ahfscdi.com. Accessed 17/07/2014.

Anon. Gatifloxacin. Lexicomp Online. Hudson, Ohio. Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. https://online.lexi.com. Accessed 17/07/2014.

Buckingham R (ed). Gatifloxacin. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference [online]. London. Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 17/07/2014.

Wickersham RM. Gatifloxacin Ophthalmic. Facts and Comparisons [online]. St. Louis, MO. Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. https://www.wolterskluwercdi.com/facts-comparisons-online/. Accessed 17/07/2014.

Zymaxid Solution/Drops (Allergan Inc.). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/. Accessed 17/07/2014.