Gatifloxacin Eye prep

Indications

Gatifloxacin Eye prep is used for: Bacterial conjunctivitis

Adult Dose

Ophthalmic Bacterial conjunctivitis Adult: As 0.3% soln: Instill 1 drop 2 hrly into affected eye(s) while awake (up to 8 times daily) for the 1st 2 days then reduce to 1 drop 4 times daily while awake for the next 5 days.

Child Dose

Ophthalmic Bacterial conjunctivitis Child: >1 yr: As 0.3% soln: Instill 1 drop 2 hrly into affected eye(s) while awake (up to 8 times daily) for the 1st 2 days then reduce to 1 drop 4 times daily while awake for the next 5 days.

Renal Dose

Administration

Contra Indications

Patients with a history of hypersensitivity to Gatifloxacin, to other quinolones, or to any of the components in this medication. Eye drops should not be injected subconjunctivally, nor should it be introduced directly into the anterior chamber of the eye.

Precautions

Patients should be advised not to wear contact lenses if they have signs and symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis. Avoid contaminating the applicator tip with material from the eye, fingers or other source.

Pregnancy-Lactation

Pregnancy: There are no available data in pregnant women to inform of a drug-associated risk Lactation: Excretion in milk unknown; consider the developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding along with the mother’s clinical need for therapy and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child

Interactions

Additive effect w/ drugs that prolong QT interval e.g. antiarrhythmic agents (amiodarone, quinidine, sotalol), arsenic trioxide, cisapride, chlorpromazine, droperidol, mefloquine, dolasetron, mesoridazine, moxifloxacin, pimozide, tacrolimus, pentamidine, thioridazine, ziprasidone. Increased risk of blood glucose disturbances w/ drugs that alter blood glucose concentrations (e.g. antidiabetics). Systemic admin may elevate plasma concentrations of theophylline, interfere caffeine metabolism, enhance effects of oral anticoagulant (warfarin and its derivatives), and transient elevations in serum creatinine w/ ciclosporin.

Side Effects

Side effects of Gatifloxacin Eye prep : 1-10% Conjunctival irritation (5-10%), Incr. lacrimation (5-10%), Keratitis (5-10%), Papillary conjunctivitis (5-10%), Conjunctival hemorrhage (1-4%), Chemosis (1-4%), Dry eye (1-4%), Eye discharge (1-4%), Eye irritation (1-4%), Eye pain (1-4%), Eyelid swelling (1-4%), Red eye (1-4%), Visual acuity decr (1-4%), Taste disturbance (1-4%)

Mode of Action

Gatifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial which acts by inhibiting DNA synthesis in susceptible organisms via inhibition of both DNA gyrase (essential for bacterial reproduction) and topoisomerase IV (essential during bacterial cell division).