What is Tequin/Gatifloxacin used for?

This medicine is used to treat adults with mild to moderate infections such as lower respiratory tract infections, including chronic bronchitis and pneumonia, sexually transmitted diseases (except syphilis), pelvic inflammatory disease, and infections of the urinary tract, prostate gland, and skin caused by certain bacteria.

If you have any questions about your medicine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider. This medicine is only to be used by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not give it to others. This information is advisory only. It does not contain all information about this medicine. If you have any questions about your medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

How should Tequin/Gatifloxacin be stored?

Store at controlled room temperature (between 59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Discard this medicine when it is outdated or no longer needed by flushing it down the toilet.

General drug information:

When should Tequin/Gatifloxacin not be taken?

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine or to similar medications you have a history of tendon inflammation or tendon rupture due to this medicine or similar medicines if you have a history of seizures or brain disorder

What precautions should I follow when taking Tequin/Gatifloxacin?

Before using this medicine, tell your health care provider about any of the following: if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding if you are taking any prescription medicine, nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement if you are taking medicines to treat irregular heart rhythms or cisapride, erythromycin, antipsychotics, probenecid, or tricyclic antidepressants if you have hardening of the arteries in your brain if you have a family history of irregular heart rhythms or other heart problems if you have low blood potassium levels if you have diabetes if you have a history of seizures or brain disorder if you have impaired kidney or liver function if you have any other medical condition

What special warning(s) should I be aware of when taking Tequin/Gatifloxacin?

This medicine can cause alteration in your heart beat, low potassium levels, palpitations, fainting, convulsions, increased pressure in the head, psychosis, tremors, restlessness, light-headedness, nervousness, confusion, depression, nightmares, insomnia, hallucinations, dizziness, light headedness, inflammation of the bowels, rupture in the muscle tendons in your hand, shoulder, or heel. This medicine can cause serious and sometimes fatal allergic reactions, sometimes after a single dose. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor immediately if you develop swelling in the tongue, throat, or face; difficulty breathing or swallowing; itching, tingling; rash; hives; rapid or irregular heartbeat; seizures; or any other sign of an allergic reaction

What are the side effects of Tequin/Gatifloxacin?

Most severe:  Convulsions; increased pressure within the head; bizarre behavior; tremors; restlessness; lightheadedness; confusion; hallucinations; paranoia; depression; nightmares; sleeplessness; severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; shortness of breath; swelling of the face, tongue, and lips); itching; shock (pale skin); seizures; loss of consciousness; nervousness; agitation; urination problems; muscle pain; joint pain; fever; serum sickness; yellowing of the skin or eyes; fatigue; loss of appetite; dark urine; pale stools; bloody stools; stomach pain/cramps; irregular heart rhythms; pounding in the chest; fainting; excessive urination, thirst, or hunger.

Most common:  Nausea; vaginal inflammation; diarrhea; headache; dizziness.

Other:  Weakness; back pain; chest pain; chills; constipation; indigestion; gas; inflammation of the tongue; mouth sores; oral infection; inflammation of the mouth; vomiting; swelling of the hands and feet; joint pain; leg cramps; abnormal dreams; abnormal skin sensations; drowsiness; feeling of a whirling motion; sore throat; dry skin; itching; sweating; abnormal vision; changes in taste; ringing in the ears; tendon pain or swelling; sensitivity to sunlight.

How should I take Tequin/Gatifloxacin?

How much medicine you take and how often you take it depends on many factors, including the condition being treated, your age, and weight. If you have any questions about the amount and/or frequency of the medicine you are taking, talk with your health care provider. Carefully read the patient leaflet provided with this medicine and reread it each time you get your prescription refilled. This medicine may be taken without regard to meals. Swallow Tablet whole. Try to take this medicine at the same time each day. Drink plenty of liquids while taking this medicine. Over-the-counter medicine products that contain aluminum, magnesium, iron, and multivitamin supplements with zinc or didanosine should be taken at least 4 hours after taking this medicine. Stop using this medicine and contact your health care provider if you experience pounding in the chest or fainting spells. This medicine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or lightheadedness. Use caution while driving or performing other tasks requiring alertness, coordination, or physical dexterity. Stop taking this medicine and talk with your doctor if you experience pain, inflammation, or swelling of a tendon. Get plenty of rest and stop exercising until your doctor has determined the cause. Contact your health care provider at once if any of the following occur: Skin rash, hives or other skin reactions; rapid heartbeat; difficulty swallowing or breathing; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; tightness of the throat; hoarseness; any other sign of an allergic reaction. Continue to take this medicine until all of the prescribed medicine has been taken. Failure to take a full course of therapy may prevent complete elimination of bacteria, causing the infection to return. Long-term or repeated use of this medicine may cause a second infection. You may need to stop taking this medicine and start another medication to treat the second infection. Contact your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. If severe diarrhea, stomach pain or cramps, or bloody stools occurs, talk with your doctor at once. This could be a sign of a serious side effect requiring instant medical attention. Do not treat diarrhea without talking with your doctor. Stop using this medicine at the first appearance of rash, skin burning, redness, swelling, blisters, itching, or skin inflammation and talk with your health care provider. This medicine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or lightheadedness. Use caution when driving or performing other tasks requiring alertness, coordination, or physical dexterity. This medicine may cause sensitivity to sunlight. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun or other ultraviolet (UV) light (eg, tanning beds). Use sunscreens and wear protective clothing until tolerance is determined. Diabetic patients should monitor their blood sugar regularly while taking this medicine with an antidiabetic medicine. Stop using this medicine and talk with your doctor at once if a reaction caused by low blood sugar occurs. Lab tests will be required to monitor therapy. Be sure to keep appointments. Do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your health care provider. Patients with previous medical conditions should talk with their health care provider before taking this medicine. Do not take more medicine than prescribed unless advised to do so by your doctor or health care provider. Do not take any other over-the-counter or prescription medications without talking with your healthcare provider. This includes any herbal preparations or dietary supplements. If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your healthcare provider. If more than one dose is missed, contact your health care provider or pharmacist.