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In this Article

• What is gemifloxacin (Factive)?
• What are the possible side effects of gemifloxacin (Factive)?
• What is the most important information I should know about moxifloxacin (Factive)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking gemifloxacin (Factive)?
• How should I take gemifloxacin (Factive)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Factive)?
• What happens if I overdose (Factive)?
• What should I avoid while taking gemifloxacin (Factive)?
• What other drugs will affect gemifloxacin (Factive)?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking gemifloxacin (Factive)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to gemifloxacin or similar medications such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), ofloxacin (Floxin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), norfloxacin (Noroxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), and others.

Before taking gemifloxacin, tell your doctor if you have a heart rhythm disorder, especially if you are being treated with one of these medications: quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute), disopyramide (Norpace), bretylium (Bretylol), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan SR), amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), or sotalol (Betapace).

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before you take gemifloxacin, tell your doctor if you have:

• a history of allergic reaction to an antibiotic;
• joint problems;
• kidney disease;
• epilepsy or a history of seizures;
• low blood levels of potassium (hypokalemia) or magnesium (hypomagnesemia);
• a nerve disorder or history of circulation problems; or
• a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."

FDA pregnancy category C: It is not known whether gemifloxacin is harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use gemifloxacin without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Gemifloxacin may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Gemifloxacin may cause swelling or tearing of a tendon (the fiber that connects bones to muscles in the body), especially in the Achilles' tendon of the heel. These effects may be more likely to occur if you are over 60, if you take an oral steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant. Stop taking gemifloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints. Rest the joint until you receive medical care or instructions.

Do not share this medication with another person (especially a child), even if they have the same symptoms you do.

How should I take gemifloxacin (Factive)?

Take gemifloxacin exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take gemifloxacin with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Drink several extra glasses of fluid each day while you are taking gemifloxacin.

Gemifloxacin may be taken with or without food, but take it at the same time each day.

Take this medication for as many days as it has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Gemifloxacin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Store gemifloxacin at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.