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Important: This site presents data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). A report does not mean the drug caused the event. Full disclaimer.

GATIFLOXACIN: 341 Adverse Event Reports & Safety Profile

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341
Total FAERS Reports
7 (2.1%)
Deaths Reported
30
Hospitalizations
341
As Primary/Secondary Suspect
1
Life-Threatening
6
Disabilities
Aug 19, 2011
FDA Approved
Allergan, Inc.
Manufacturer
Discontinued
Status
Yes
Generic Available

Drug Class: Quinolone Antimicrobial [EPC] · Route: OPHTHALMIC · Manufacturer: Allergan, Inc. · FDA Application: 021493 · HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · FDA Label: Available

First Report: 19950802 · Latest Report: 20250528

What Are the Most Common GATIFLOXACIN Side Effects?

#1 Most Reported
Drug hypersensitivity
88 reports (25.8%)
#2 Most Reported
Anaphylactic reaction
67 reports (19.6%)
#3 Most Reported
Drug intolerance
62 reports (18.2%)

All GATIFLOXACIN Side Effects by Frequency

Side Effect Reports % of Total Deaths Hosp.
Drug hypersensitivity 88 25.8% 1 0
Anaphylactic reaction 67 19.7% 0 1
Drug intolerance 62 18.2% 0 1
Drug ineffective 27 7.9% 0 5
Endophthalmitis 18 5.3% 0 0
Vision blurred 17 5.0% 0 4
Off label use 16 4.7% 0 4
Drug prescribing error 15 4.4% 0 0
Pruritus 14 4.1% 1 1
Toxic anterior segment syndrome 14 4.1% 0 0
Eye pain 13 3.8% 0 0
Corneal oedema 12 3.5% 0 0
Eye irritation 12 3.5% 0 0
Dizziness 11 3.2% 0 2
Rash 11 3.2% 0 0
Eye inflammation 10 2.9% 0 1
Hypersensitivity 10 2.9% 0 1
Condition aggravated 9 2.6% 0 2
Diarrhoea 9 2.6% 1 3
Fatigue 9 2.6% 1 1

Who Reports GATIFLOXACIN Side Effects? Age & Gender Data

Gender: 76.2% female, 23.8% male. Average age: 62.5 years. Most reports from: US. View detailed demographics →

Is GATIFLOXACIN Getting Safer? Reports by Year

YearReportsDeathsHosp.
2001 1 0 0
2002 2 0 0
2003 1 0 0
2004 2 0 1
2008 1 0 0
2011 1 0 1
2012 1 0 0
2013 2 1 0
2014 10 0 0
2015 9 0 0
2016 3 0 0
2017 8 0 2
2018 5 0 1
2019 8 1 1
2021 15 0 1
2022 2 0 1
2023 5 0 3
2024 1 0 1
2025 1 0 0

View full timeline →

What Is GATIFLOXACIN Used For?

IndicationReports
Product used for unknown indication 144
Cataract operation 16
Preoperative care 16
Postoperative care 8
Antibiotic prophylaxis 6
Conjunctivitis 6
Eye infection 5
Prophylaxis 5
Tuberculosis 5
Ulcerative keratitis 5

GATIFLOXACIN vs Alternatives: Which Is Safer?

GATIFLOXACIN vs GEFITINIB GATIFLOXACIN vs GELATIN GATIFLOXACIN vs GEMCITABINE GATIFLOXACIN vs GEMCITABINE\GEMCITABINE GATIFLOXACIN vs GEMFIBROZIL GATIFLOXACIN vs GEMTUZUMAB OZOGAMICIN GATIFLOXACIN vs GEMZAR GATIFLOXACIN vs GENTAMICIN GATIFLOXACIN vs GEODON GATIFLOXACIN vs GILENYA

Other Drugs in Same Class: Quinolone Antimicrobial [EPC]

Official FDA Label for GATIFLOXACIN

Official prescribing information from the FDA-approved drug label.

Drug Description

ZYMAXID ® is a quinolone antimicrobial topical ophthalmic solution for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis. Its chemical name is (±)-1-Cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-8-methoxy-7-(3-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-4-oxo-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid, sesquihydrate. Its molecular formula is C 19 H 22 FN 3 O 4 · 1½ H 2 O and its molecular weight is 402.42. Its chemical structure is: ZYMAXID ® is a clear, pale yellow, sterile, preserved aqueous solution with an osmolality of 260-330 mOsm/kg and a pH of 5.1-5.7. ZYMAXID ® contains the active ingredient gatifloxacin 0.5% (5 mg/mL) and the inactive ingredients benzalkonium chloride 0.005%, edetate disodium, sodium chloride and purified water. ZYMAXID ® may contain hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide to adjust pH. The chemical structure of ZYMAXID® is a quinolone antimicrobial topical ophthalmic solution for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis. Its chemical name is (±)-1-Cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-8-methoxy-7-(3-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-4-oxo-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid, sesquihydrate. Its molecular formula is C19H22FN3O4

  • 1½ H2O and its molecular weight is 402.42.

FDA Approved Uses (Indications)

AND USAGE Gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.5% is indicated for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis caused by susceptible strains of the following organisms:

  • Aerobic gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus Staphylococcus epidermidis Streptococcus mitis group * Streptococcus oralis * Streptococcus pneumoniae
  • Aerobic gram-negative bacteria Haemophilus influenzae * Efficacy for these organisms were studied in fewer than 10 infections. Gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution is a quinolone antimicrobial indicated for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis caused by susceptible strains of the following organisms: Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus mitis group , Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus pneumoniae ( 1 )

Dosage & Administration

AND ADMINISTRATION

  • Day 1: Instill one drop every two hours in the affected eye(s) while awake, up to 8 times.
  • Day 2 through Day 7: Instill one drop two to four times daily in the affected eye(s) while awake.

Day

1: Instill one drop every two hours in the affected eye(s) while awake, up to 8 times on Day 1.

Days

2 through 7: Instill one drop two to four times daily in the affected eye(s) while awake on Days 2 through 7. ( 2 )

Contraindications

Gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to gatifloxacin, to other quinolones, or to any of the components in this medication [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to gatifloxacin, to other quinolones, or to any of the components in this medication. ( 4 )

Known Adverse Reactions

REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling:

  • Hypersensitivity [see Contraindications (4) and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]
  • Growth of Resistant Organisms With Prolonged Use [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]
  • Corneal Endothelial Cell Injury [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Most common adverse reactions occurring in ≥ 1 % of patients included worsening of conjunctivitis, eye irritation, dysgeusia, and eye pain. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sandoz Inc. at 1-800-525-8747 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

6.1 Clinical Studies Experience Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. In clinical studies of patients with bacterial conjunctivitis treated with gatifloxacin (N=717), the most frequently reported adverse reactions occurring in ≥1% of patients were: worsening of the conjunctivitis, eye irritation, dysgeusia, and eye pain. Additional adverse reactions reported with other formulations of gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution in other clinical studies included chemosis, conjunctival hemorrhage, dry eye, eye discharge, eyelid edema, headache, increased lacrimation, keratitis, red eye, papillary conjunctivitis, and reduced visual acuity.

6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution or with other formulations of gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution. Because these reactions 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. These reactions included anaphylactic reactions and angioedema (including pharyngeal, oral or facial edema), blepharitis, dyspnea, eye pruritus, eye swelling (including corneal and conjunctival edema), hypersensitivity, including signs and symptoms of eye allergy and allergic dermatitis, nausea, pruritus (including pruritus generalized, rash, urticaria), and vision blurred.

Warnings

AND PRECAUTIONS

  • Hypersensitivity ( 5.1 )
  • Growth of Resistant Organisms with Prolonged Use ( 5.2 )
  • Corneal Endothelial Cell Injury ( 5.3 )

5.1 Hypersensitivity Some patients receiving topical ophthalmic gatifloxacin experienced hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylactic reactions, angioedema (including pharyngeal, laryngeal, or facial edema), dyspnea, urticaria, and itching, even following a single dose. Rare cases of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome were reported in association with topical ophthalmic gatifloxacin use. If an allergic reaction to gatifloxacin occurs, discontinue the drug <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Patient Counseling Information (17) ]</span>.

5.2 Growth of Resistant Organisms with Prolonged Use Prolonged use of gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.5% may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms, including fungi. If superinfection occurs, discontinue use and institute alternative therapy. Whenever clinical judgment dictates, examine the patient with the aid of magnification, such as slit lamp biomicroscopy and where appropriate, fluorescein staining.

5.3 Corneal Endothelial Cell Injury Gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution is for topical ophthalmic use. Gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution may cause corneal endothelial cell injury if introduced directly into the anterior chamber of the eye.