Gatifloxacin

The quinolone antibiotics target bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. For many gram-positive bacteria, topoisomerase IV is the primary target, while for many gram-negative microbes, DNA gyrase is the primary target. Inhibition of these enzymes prevents the continuous introduction of negative supercoils into DNA and the separation of interlinked daughter DNA molecules, which are crucial for bacterial DNA replication and transcription.

Adult

bioavailable; the oral dose (450 mg) is higher than the IV (300 mg). All fluoroquinolones are widely distributed in body fluids and tissues (see Table 46– 1). Serum half­lives range from 3 to 10 hours. The relatively long half­lives of levofloxacin, gemifloxacin, and moxifloxacin permit once­daily dosing. Oral absorption is impaired by divalent and trivalent cations, including those in antacids.…

• Q-T prolongation
• arrhythmias
• phototoxicity
• unpredictable hypoglycaemia