A Game-Changer for Diabetes: Polymer Delivers Insulin Painlessly Through Skin
November 25, 2025
Free CME credits
Both our subscription plans include Free CME/CPD AMA PRA Category 1 credits.
Brand Name :
Factive
Synonyms :
gemifloxacin
Class :
fluoroquinolones
Brand Name :
Factive
Synonyms :
gemifloxacin
Class :
fluoroquinolones
Dosage Forms & Strengths
Tablets
320mg
320mg orally every day for five days
(M. pneumoniae; S. pneumoniae; C. pneumoniae; H. influenzae): 320mg orally every day for five days
(Multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae; S. pneumoniae; M. catarrhalis): 320mg orally every day for 7 days
Safety and efficacy not established
Refer adult dosingÂ
may decrease the therapeutic effect of antibiotics
may diminish the absorption of quinolones
may diminish the absorption of quinolones
may diminish the absorption of quinolones
may diminish the absorption of quinolones
may diminish the absorption of quinolones
may diminish the absorption of quinolones
may diminish the absorption of quinolones
may diminish the absorption of quinolones
may diminish the absorption of quinolones
may diminish the absorption of quinolones
may increase the QTc prolonging effect of QT-prolonging quinolone antibiotics
may diminish the serum concentration
may diminish the serum concentration of quinolones
may diminish the serum concentration of quinolones
may diminish the serum concentration of quinolones
may diminish the serum concentration of quinolones
may diminish the serum concentration of quinolones
may diminish the serum concentration of quinolones
may diminish the serum concentration of quinolones
may diminish the serum concentration of quinolones
may diminish the serum concentration of quinolones
l-methylfolate-pyridoxal 5′-phosphate-methylcobalamine
may diminish the serum concentration of quinolones
may increase the QTc prolonging effect
may increase the QTc prolonging effect
may increase the QTc prolonging effect
may increase the QTc prolonging effect
may increase the QTc prolonging effect
may diminish the serum concentration of quinolones
may increase the photosensitising effect
may increase the QTc prolonging effect
may increase the QTc prolonging effect
may increase the QTc prolonging effect
QTc interval is increased both by lenvatinib and gemifloxacin
may increase the QT-prolonging effect and enhance the risk of bradycardia, hypokalemia
may increase the QTc interval when combined
It may enhance QTc interval when combined with pentamidine
may increase the hypoglycemic effect of quinolones
may increase the hypoglycemic effect of quinolones
may increase the hypoglycemic effect of quinolones
may increase the hypoglycemic effect of quinolones
may increase the hypoglycemic effect of quinolones
may increase the toxic effect
may increase the toxic effect
may increase the toxic effect
may increase the toxic effect
may increase the toxic effect
may increase the QTc prolonging effect
may increase the QTc prolonging effect
may increase the QTc prolonging effect
may increase the QTc prolonging effect
may increase the QTc prolonging effect
It may enhance QTc interval when combined with perphenazine
It may enhance the risk of QTc prolongation when combined with moexipril
It may diminish the metabolism when combined with Fluroquinolones
It may diminish the metabolism when combined with Fluroquinolones
It may diminish the metabolism when combined with Fluroquinolones
It may enhance the risk of adverse effects when combined with Fluroquinolones
It may enhance the risk of adverse effects when combined with Fluroquinolones
brompheniramine, dextromethorphan and phenylephrine
It may enhance the risk of adverse effects when combined with Fluroquinolones
chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine
It may enhance the risk of adverse effects when combined with Fluroquinolones
It may enhance the risk of adverse effects when combined with Fluroquinolones
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk or severity of QTC prolongation  
when both drugs are combined, both increase the QTC interval 
may increase the QTc prolonging effect
may decrease the levels of serum concentration
may decrease the levels of serum concentration
may decrease the levels of serum concentration
may decrease the levels of serum concentration
It may enhance the risk of adverse effects when combined with nutraceuticals
It may enhance the risk of adverse effects when combined with nutraceuticals
It may enhance the risk of adverse effects when combined with nutraceuticals
When gemifloxacin is aided by hesperetin, it reduces hesperetin’s metabolism
when both drugs are combined, there may be a decreased metabolism of etoposide  
when both the drugs are combined, the metabolism of carmustine decreases    
when both drugs are combined, there may be a decreased plasma concentrations of oral quinolone antibiotics 
it enhances the effect of alprazolam by diminishing the metabolism
may enhance the levels of clorazepate by decreasing the metabolism
Mechanism of action
It is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. It works by inhibiting the activity of two enzymes, DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, which are essential for the replication, transcription, and repair of bacterial DNA.
Spectrum
The spectrum of activity of gemifloxacin includes coverage against a range of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, including Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Legionella pneumophila, among others.
It treats various bacterial infections, including respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and skin and soft tissue infections. Importantly, fluoroquinolones, including gemifloxacin, have limited efficacy against anaerobic bacteria and do not cover all types of bacteria.
Frequency defined:
1-10%
Headache
Rash
Abdominal pain
Vomiting
Platelets increased
GGT increased
Diarrhea
Nausea
Dizziness
Neutropenia
Thrombocythemia
<1%
Photosensitivity
Peripheral neuropathy
Tendon rupture
Post-marketing reports
Aortic aneurysm and dissection
Hepatic failure
Angioedema
Abnormal gait
Pancytopenia
Aortic aneurysm
Depression
Confusion
Allergic pneumonitis
Renal dysfunction
Black box warning
It carries a black box warning regarding the potential risk of severe and potentially fatal cardiovascular events, including QT interval prolongation, torsade de pointes, and sudden death. This risk is increased in individuals with known risk factors, such as a history of QT prolongation, electrolyte imbalances, or concomitant use of drugs that prolong the QT interval.
Gemifloxacin should be used with caution in these individuals, and ECG monitoring may be necessary. It is also essential for healthcare providers to closely monitor patients for symptoms of cardiovascular events, including fainting, dizziness, and palpitations, during treatment with gemifloxacin
Contraindications
It is contraindicated in individuals with known hypersensitivity or allergy to gemifloxacin or its components. It is also contraindicated in patients with a history of liver disease, as gemifloxacin may cause liver damage in these individuals. Additionally, gemifloxacin should not be used in individuals with a history of long QT syndrome or in those taking medications known to prolong the QT interval. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are also considered contraindications for gemifloxacin
Caution
Cardiovascular risk: As mentioned in the black box warning, gemifloxacin may cause QT interval prolongation and increase the risk of serious cardiovascular events.
Liver toxicity: It can cause liver damage, so it should be used cautiously in patients with liver disease.
Drug interactions: It may interact with other medications, including those that prolong the QT interval, so it is essential to inform your healthcare provider about all medications you are taking.
Allergic reactions: It may cause allergic reactions, including rash, itching, and hives, so it should be discontinued if these symptoms occur.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: It should be used with caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding as its safety in these populations has not been established.
Electrolyte imbalances: It may cause electrolyte imbalances, so monitoring electrolyte levels during treatment is essential
Pregnancy consideration: Insufficient data available
Lactation: Excretion of the drug in human breast milk is unknown
Pregnancy category:
Category A: well-controlled and Satisfactory studies show no risk to the fetus in the first or later trimester.
Category B: there was no evidence of risk to the fetus in animal studies, and there were not enough studies on pregnant women.
Category C: there was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women.
Category D: adequate data available with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits.
Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women.
Category N: There is no data available for the drug under this category
Pharmacology
It is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that inhibits the activity of DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, which are essential for bacterial replication and growth. This dual mechanism of action makes gemifloxacin a potent and broad-spectrum antibiotic, effective against a range of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The inhibition of these enzymes leads to the accumulation of single-stranded DNA, resulting in bacterial death. The ability of gemifloxacin to maintain its potency against specific double mutants (such as Streptococcus pneumoniae) makes it an effective treatment option for certain bacterial infections.
Pharmacodynamics
The pharmacodynamics of gemifloxacin contribute to its effectiveness as a broad-spectrum antibiotic, allowing it to treat a wide range of bacterial infections. However, it is essential to note that fluoroquinolones, including gemifloxacin, may also lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, so they should be used judiciously and only when necessary.
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
The absorption of the drug has a bioavailability of 71%. The time it takes for the drug to reach its peak plasma concentration is between 0.5-2 hours, with a peak plasma concentration of 1.61 mcg/mL. The area under the curve (AUC) is 9.93 mcg•hr/mL.
Distribution
The drug is 60-70% protein bound in the body.
Metabolism
Its metabolism is limited to the liver, and its elimination half-life is 5-9 hours.
Elimination/excretion
The drug is dialyzable, with 20-30% removal through dialysis, and is excreted through feces (60%) and urine (40%)
Administration
It is an oral antibiotic medication. It is usually taken once daily with a glass of water, on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before a meal. It is essential to take gemifloxacin precisely as prescribed and to complete the entire course of treatment, even if symptoms improve before the end of the treatment.
It is also essential to follow all other instructions the healthcare provider provides. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume the usual dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one
Patient information leaflet
Generic Name: gemifloxacin
Pronounced: [ JEM-i-FLOX-a-sin ]
Why do we use gemifloxacin?
It is used to treat bacterial infections such as respiratory tract infections (e.g., pneumonia, bronchitis) and skin and soft tissue infections.
Both our subscription plans include Free CME/CPD AMA PRA Category 1 credits.
On course completion, you will receive a full-sized presentation quality digital certificate.
A dynamic medical simulation platform designed to train healthcare professionals and students to effectively run code situations through an immersive hands-on experience in a live, interactive 3D environment.
When you have your licenses, certificates and CMEs in one place, it's easier to track your career growth. You can easily share these with hospitals as well, using your medtigo app.
