home > drugs a-z list > tequin (gatifloxacin (removed from us market - may 2006)) drug center > tequin (gatifloxacin (removed from us market - may 2006)) drug - side effects and drug interactions

Over 5000 patients have been treated with gatifloxacin in single- and multiple-dose clinical efficacy trials worldwide.

In gatifloxacin studies, the majority of adverse reactions were described as mild in nature. Gatifloxacin was discontinued for adverse events thought related to drug in 2.7% of patients.

Drug-related adverse events classified as possibly, probably, or definitely related with a frequency of ³3% in patients receiving gatifloxacin in single- and multiple-dose clinical trials are as follows: nausea 8%, vaginitis 6%, diarrhea 4%, headache 3%, dizziness 3%.

In patients who were treated with either intravenous gatifloxacin or with intravenous followed by oral therapy, the incidence of adverse events was similar to those who received oral therapy alone. Local injection site reactions (redness at injection site) were noted in 5% of patients.

Additional drug-related adverse events (possibly, probably, or definitely related) considered clinically relevant that occurred in ³0.1% to <3% of patients receiving gatifloxacin in single- and multiple-dose clinical trials are as follows:

Body as a Whole: allergic reaction, asthenia, back pain, chest pain, chills, face edema, fever

Cardiovascular System: hypertension, palpitation

Digestive System: abdominal pain, anorexia, constipation, dyspepsia, flatulence, gastritis, glossitis, mouth ulcer, oral moniliasis, stomatitis, vomiting

Metabolic/Nutritional System: hyperglycemia, peripheral edema, thirst

Musculoskeletal System: arthralgia, leg cramp

Nervous System: abnormal dream, agitation, anxiety, confusion, insomnia, nervousness, paresthesia, somnolence, tremor, vasodilatation, vertigo

Respiratory System: dyspnea, pharyngitis

Skin/Appendages: dry skin, pruritus, rash, sweating

Special Senses: abnormal vision, taste perversion, tinnitus

Urogenital System: dysuria

Additional drug-related adverse events considered clinically relevant that occurred in <0.1% (rare adverse events) of patients receiving gatifloxacin in single- and multiple-dose clinical trials are as follows: abnormal thinking, alcohol intolerance, arthritis, asthma (bronchospasm), ataxia, bone pain, bradycardia, breast pain, cheilitis, colitis, convulsion, cyanosis, depersonalization, depression, diabetes mellitus, dysphagia, ear pain, ecchymosis, edema, epistaxis, euphoria, eye pain, eye photosensitivity, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, generalized edema, gingivitis, halitosis, hallucination, hematemesis, hematuria, hostility, hyperesthesia, hypertonia, hyperventilation, hypoglycemia, lymphadenopathy, maculopapular rash, metrorrhagia, migraine, mouth edema, myalgia, myasthenia, neck pain, panic attack, paranoia, parosmia, photophobia, pseudomembranous colitis, psychosis, ptosis, rectal hemorrhage, stress, substernal chest pain, tachycardia, taste loss, tongue edema, vesiculobullous rash.

Clinically relevant changes in laboratory parameters, without regard to drug relationship, occurred in fewer than 1% of TEQUIN (gatifloxacin (removed from us market - may 2006)) -treated patients. These included the following: neutropenia, increased ALT or AST levels, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, serum amylase, and electrolytes abnormalities. It is not known whether these abnormalities were caused by the drug or the underlying condition being treated.

The following events have been reported during postapproval use of TEQUIN (gatifloxacin (removed from us market - may 2006)) . Because these events are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Abnormal renal function (including acute renal failure), acute allergic reaction including anaphylactic reaction and angioneurotic edema, hepatitis, hypotension, increased International Normalized Ratio (INR)/prothrombin time, pancreatitis, severe hyperglycemia (including hyperosmolar nonketotic hyperglycemia), severe hypoglycemia (including hypoglycemic coma), Stevens-Johnson syndrome, syncope, tendon rupture, thrombocytopenia, and torsades de pointes.

TEQUIN (gatifloxacin) can be taken 4 hours before ferrous sulfate, dietary supplements containing zinc, magnesium, or iron (such as multivitamins), or aluminum/magnesium-containing antacids without any significant pharmacokinetic interactions (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY).

No significant interactions have been observed when administered concomitantly with TEQUIN (gatifloxacin (removed from us market - may 2006)) . No dosage adjustments are necessary when these drugs are administered concomitantly with TEQUIN (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY).

Pharmacodynamic changes in glucose homeostasis have been seen with concomitant glyburide use. However, no significant pharmacokinetic interactions have been observed when glyburide was administered concomitantly with TEQUIN (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: Glucose Homeostasis and WARNINGS).

Concomitant administration of TEQUIN and digoxin did not produce significant alteration of the pharmacokinetics of gatifloxacin; however, an increase in digoxin concentrations was observed for 3 of 11 subjects. Patients taking digoxin should therefore be monitored for signs and/or symptoms of toxicity. In patients who display signs and/or symptoms of digoxin intoxication, serum digoxin concentrations should be determined, and digoxin dosage should be adjusted as appropriate (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY).

The systemic exposure of TEQUIN (gatifloxacin (removed from us market - may 2006)) is significantly increased following the concomitant administration of TEQUIN and probenecid (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY).

In subjects receiving warfarin, no significant change in clotting time was observed when gatifloxacin was coadministered. However, because some quinolones have been reported to enhance the effects of warfarin or its derivatives, prothrombin time or other suitable anticoagulation test should be monitored closely if a quinolone antimicrobial is administered with warfarin or its derivatives.

Although not observed with gatifloxacin in preclinical and clinical trials, the concomitant administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with a quinolone may increase the risks of CNS stimulation and convulsions (see WARNINGS).

There are no reported laboratory test interactions.

Last reviewed on RxList: 1/13/2005
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.