Medication

Gatifloxacin

Generic name: gatifloxacin · Brand names: Gatifloxacin

Quinolone Antimicrobial [epc]

Information sourced from FDA Structured Product Labeling, updated October 28, 2025.

What is it used for?

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 0.5 % 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

How to take it

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.

Warnings

Hypersensitivity Growth of Resistant Organisms with Prolonged Use Corneal Endothelial Cell Injury

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 .

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.

Corneal Endothelial Cell Injury Gatifloxacin

ophthalmic solution 0.5 % is for topical ophthalmic use. Gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.5 % may cause corneal endothelial cell injury if introduced directly into the anterior chamber of the eye.

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 .

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.

Corneal Endothelial Cell Injury Gatifloxacin

ophthalmic solution 0.5 % is for topical ophthalmic use. Gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.5 % may cause corneal endothelial cell injury if introduced directly into the anterior chamber of the eye.

Who should not take it

Gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.5 % is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to gatifloxacin, to other quinolones, or to any of the components in this medication . Gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.5 % is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to gatifloxacin, to other quinolones, or to any of the components in this medication.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Risk Summary There

are no available data on the use of gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.5% in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk. Administration of oral gatifloxacin to pregnant rats and rabbits throughout organogenesis did not produce adverse development outcomes at clinically relevant doses. Administration of gatifloxacin to rats during late gestation through lactation did not produce adverse maternal, fetal or neonatal effects at clinically relevant doses.

Data Animal Data Oral administration of gatifloxacin to pregnant rats throughout organogenesis produced teratogenic effects in rat fetuses, including skeletal/craniofacial malformations, delayed ossification, atrial enlargement, and reduced fetal weight, at doses greater than or equal to 150 mg/kg/day (approximately 600-fold higher than the maximum recommended human ophthalmic dose [MRHOD] for gatifloxacin of 0.04 mg/kg/day, on a mg/m 2 basis). No teratogenic effects were observed in rat or rabbit fetuses at doses of gatifloxacin up to 50 mg/kg/day (approximately 200-and 400-fold higher than the MRHOD, respectively, on a mg/m 2 basis). In a perinatal/postnatal study in rats, oral administration of gatifloxacin during late gestation through lactation produced an increase in late gestation fetal loss and neonatal/perinatal mortality at 200 mg/kg/day (approximately 800-fold higher than the MRHOD on a mg/m 2 basis).

Side effects

The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Hypersensitivity Growth of Resistant Organisms With Prolonged Use Corneal Endothelial Cell Injury Most common adverse reactions occurring in ≥ 1 % of patients included worsening of conjunctivitis, eye irritation, dysgeusia, and eye pain. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact LEADING PHARMA, LLC at 1-844-740-7500 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .

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 ophthalmic solution 0.5% (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.

Postmarketing Experience The

following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.5 %. 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.

All information on this site is provided “as-is” for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. You should consult with a medical professional if you have any questions about your health. Source: FDA Structured Product Labeling.