Gatifloxacin

The Basics

What is Gatifloxacin?

Used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis.

Brand names for Gatifloxacin

Gatifloxacin

How Gatifloxacin is classified

Anti-Infective Agents, Antibacterial Agents, Quinolones, Fluoroquinolones

Gatifloxacin During Pregnancy

Gatifloxacin pregnancy category

Category CNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Gatifloxacin while pregnant

There were no teratogenic effects observed in rats or rabbits following oral gatifloxacin doses up to 50 mg/kg/day (approximately 1000-fold higher than the maximum recommended ophthalmic dose). However, skeletal/craniofacial malformations or delayed ossification, atrial enlargement, and reduced fetal weight were observed in fetuses from rats given ?150 mg/kg/day (approximately 3000-fold higher than the maximum recommended ophthalmic dose). In a perinatal/postnatal study, increased late postimplantation loss and neonatal/perinatal mortalities were observed at 200 mg/kg/day (approximately 4000-fold higher than the maximum recommended ophthalmic dose). Because there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women, gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Taking Gatifloxacin While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Gatifloxacin?

: No information is available on the clinical use of gatifloxacin during breastfeeding. Fluoroquinolones have traditionally not been used in infants because of concern about adverse effects on the infants’ developing joints. However, recent studies indicate little risk.[1][2] The calcium in milk might prevent absorption of the small amounts of fluoroquinolones in milk,[3] but insufficient data exist to prove or disprove this assertion. Use of gatifloxacin is acceptable in nursing mothers with monitoring of the infant for possible effects on the gastrointestinal flora, such as diarrhea or candidiasis (thrush, diaper rash). However, it is preferable to use an alternate drug for which safety information is available. Maternal use of an ear drop or eye drop that contains gatifloxacin presents negligible risk for the nursing infant. To substantially diminish the amount of drug that reaches the breastmilk after using eye drops, place pressure over the tear duct by the corner of the eye for 1 minute or more, then remove the excess solution with an absorbent tissue.

Maternal / infant drug levels

: No information is available on the clinical use of gatifloxacin during breastfeeding. Fluoroquinolones have traditionally not been used in infants because of concern about adverse effects on the infants’ developing joints. However, recent studies indicate little risk.[1][2] The calcium in milk might prevent absorption of the small amounts of fluoroquinolones in milk,[3] but insufficient data exist to prove or disprove this assertion. Use of gatifloxacin is acceptable in nursing mothers with monitoring of the infant for possible effects on the gastrointestinal flora, such as diarrhea or candidiasis (thrush, diaper rash). However, it is preferable to use an alternate drug for which safety information is available. Maternal use of an ear drop or eye drop that contains gatifloxacin presents negligible risk for the nursing infant. To substantially diminish the amount of drug that reaches the breastmilk after using eye drops, place pressure over the tear duct by the corner of the eye for 1 minute or more, then remove the excess solution with an absorbent tissue.

Possible effects of Gatifloxacin on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Gatifloxacin

(Systemic) Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin; (Ophthalmic) Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Ofloxacin.