Drug reference

Gemifloxacin

Fluoroquinolone · Antibiotic

FluoroquinoloneAntibiotic

CDSCO approved

EXCRETION

—

not curated

INTERACTIONS

12 major

SEVERE in our sources

PREGNANCY

FDA category + note

Top interactionssee all 12 →

Qt Prolonging DrugsSevereTextbookKDT 7e
AcetohexamideSevereDatabaseDDInter
Aminolevulinic AcidSevereDatabaseDDInter
AmiodaroneSevereDatabaseDDInter

Mechanism

The quinolone antibiotics, including gemifloxacin, target bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. In gram-positive bacteria, topoisomerase IV is the primary target, while in gram-negative microbes, DNA gyrase is the primary target. DNA gyrase introduces negative supercoils into DNA by cutting and resealing strands; quinolones bind to its A subunit, interfering with this function and inhibiting DNA replication and transcription.

Indications

PneumoniaAtypical pneumoniaInfections with anaerobic bacteriaRespiratory tract infections (including community-acquired pneumonia)community acquired pneumoniaacute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis

Dosing

Adult: 320 mg orally once daily

Pharmacokinetics

Half-life

8 h

Bioavailability

70%

Metabolism

undergoes limited metabolism

Excretion

Renal and nonrenal

Contraindications

risk of additive Q-T prolongation

Side effects

Common

NauseaVomitingAbdominal discomfortHeadachesDizzinessInsomniaAnxietydiarrhoeaheadacherise in serum amino-transferasesskin rashes

Serious

Peripheral neuropathy
Optic neuritis
Tendon rupture
Tendinitis
QT interval prolongation
Torsades de pointes arrhythmias
CNS stimulatory effects (including seizures)
Glucose dysregulation
Tendinopathy (including Achilles tendon rupture, especially in older patients, organ transplant recipients, and those on glucocorticoids)
Increased risk of aortic aneurysm
Worsening of myasthenia gravis
QTc interval prolongation (moxifloxacin more likely)