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Brand Names: Factive

Generic Name: gemifloxacin (Pronunciation: JEM i FLOX a sin)

• 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 is gemifloxacin (Factive)?

Gemifloxacin is an antibiotic in a group of drugs called fluoroquinolones (flor-o-KWIN-o-lones). Gemifloxacin fights bacteria in the body.

Gemifloxacin is used to treat different types of bacterial infections.

Gemifloxacin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of gemifloxacin (Factive)?

Stop using gemifloxacin and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using gemifloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat;
• sudden pain, snapping or popping sound, bruising, loss of movement, or swelling near your joints (especially in your arm or ankle);
• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• confusion, hallucinations, depression, unusual thoughts or behavior;
• seizure (convulsions);
• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, weakness;
• upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• easy bruising or bleeding;
• numbness, burning, tingling, or unusual pain anywhere in your body;
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; or
• the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild.

Less serious side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting;
• dizziness or drowsiness;
• blurred vision;
• muscle pain;
• feeling nervous, anxious, or restless; or
• sleep problems (insomnia or nightmares).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about moxifloxacin (Factive)?

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

Before taking gemifloxacin, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, joint problems, a history of seizures, low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood, a nerve disorder or history of circulation problems, or a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."

Avoid taking antacids, vitamin or mineral supplements, sucralfate (Carafate), or didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets within 3 hours before or 2 hours after you take gemifloxacin. These other medicines can make gemifloxacin much less effective when taken at the same time.

Taking gemifloxacin can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Avoid exposure to sunlight, sun lamps, or tanning beds.

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.