In the U.S.—

• Antibacterial, ophthalmic

Ophthalmic gatifloxacin (ga-ti-FLOKS-a-sin ) is used in the eye to treat bacterial infections of the eye. Ophthalmic gatifloxacin works by killing bacteria.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

Ophthalmic
• Ophthalmic solution (eye drops) (U.S.)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For gatifloxacin, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to gatifloxacin or any other related medicines, such as cinoxacin (e.g., Cinobac), ciprofloxacin (e.g., Cipro or Ciloxan), norfloxacin (e.g., Noroxin), ofloxacin (e.g., Floxin). Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Ophthalmic gatifloxacin has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals that were given very high doses of gatifloxacin by mouth have shown that gatifloxacin can cause problems in the fetus. Before using this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether ophthalmic gatifloxacin passes into human breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are using this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children—Use is not recommended in infants and children under 1 year of age. In children older than 1 year of age, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of gatifloxacin in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine that is to be used in the eye.

• Allergy to gatifloxacin or
• Allergy to any part of the medicine—serious allergic reactions can occur

To use gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution (eye drops):

• First, wash your hands. Then tilt the head back and pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Drop the medicine into the pouch and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to come into contact with the infection.
• If you think you did not get the drop of medicine into your eyes properly, use another drop.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed.

Dosing—

The following information includes only the average doses of gatifloxacin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label.

• For ophthalmic solution dosage form:
  • For bacterial conjunctivitis:
    • Adults and children 1 year of age and older—Days 1 and 2: Put one drop in the affected eye(s) every two hours while awake. Do not put drops in more than 8 times a day. Days 3 through 7: Put one drop in the affected eye(s) every 4 hours while awake. Do not put drops in more than 4 times a day.
    • Infants and children up to 1 year of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply as soon as possible; if almost time for the next dose , skipping missed dose and going back to regular dosing schedule; not double doses.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your health care professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

If your eye infection does not improve within a few days, or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor.

Stop using these eye drops and contact your doctor at the first sign of a rash or an allergic reaction.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• More common
  • Eye irritation;  eye pain;  eye redness 
  
  

• Less common
  • Bloody eye;  decrease in vision;  swelling of the membrane covering the white part of the eye  
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome.

• More Common
  • Blurry vision;  discharge from eyes;  itching eyes;  stringy mucus secretions ;  swelling of eye, eyelid, or inner lining of eyelid ;  watering eyes 
  
  

• Less common
  • Bad, unusual or unpleasant (after) taste;  change in taste;  dry eye;  headache 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.