Gatifloxacin

drugbox
IUPAC_name = 1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro- 8-methoxy-7-(3-methylpiperazin-1-yl)- 4-oxo-quinoline-3-carboxylic acid

---

CAS_number = 112811-59-3
ATC_prefix = J01
ATC_suffix = MA16
ATC_supplemental = ATC|S01|AX21
PubChem = 5379
DrugBank = APRD00996
C = 19 |H = 22 |F = 1 |N = 3|O = 4
molecular_weight = 375.394 g/mol
bioavailability =
protein_bound = 20%
metabolism =
elimination_half-life = 7 to 14 hours
pregnancy_category =
legal_status = Rx only
routes_of_administration = Oral (discontinued),
Intravenous (discontinued)
ophthalmic

Gatifloxacin is an antibiotic of the fourth-generation fluoroquinolone family, that like other members of that family, inhibits the bacterial enzymes DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. Bristol-Myers Squibb introduced Gatifloxacin in 1999 under the proprietary name Tequin for the treatment of respiratory tract infections, having licensed the medication from Kyorin Pharmaceutical Company of Japan. Allergan produces an eye-drop formulation called Zymar. Gatifloxacin is available as tablets and in various aqueous solutions for intravenous therapy.

ide-effects and removal from the market

A Canadian study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in March 2006 claims Tequin can have "life threatening" side effects including serious diabetes. [cite journal
last = Park-Wyllie
first = Laura Y.
authorlink =
coauthors = David N. Juurlink, Alexander Kopp, Baiju R. Shah, Therese A. Stukel, Carmine Stumpo, Linda Dresser, Donald E. Low, Muhammad M. Mamdani
year = 2006
month = March
title = Outpatient Gatifloxacin Therapy and Dysglycemia in Older Adults
journal = The New England Journal of Medicine
volume = 354
issue = 13
pages = 1352–1361
pmid = 16510739
url = http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/354/13/1352
accessdate = 2006-05-01
doi = 10.1056/NEJMoa055191 "Note: publication date 30 March; available on-line 1 March"] An editorial byDr. Jerry Gurwitz in the same issue called for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to consider giving Tequin a black box warning. [cite journal
last = Gurwitz
first = Jerry H.
authorlink =
coauthors =
year = 2006
month = March
title = Serious Adverse Drug Effects — Seeing the Trees through the Forest
journal = The New England Journal of Medicine
volume = 354
issue = 13
pages = 1413–1415
pmid = 16510740
url = http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/extract/354/13/1413
accessdate = 2006-05-01
doi = 10.1056/NEJMe068051] This editorial followed distribution of a letter dated February 15 by Bristol-Myers Squibb to health care providers indicating action taken with the FDA to strengthen warnings for the medication. [cite web
last = Lewis-Hall
first = Freda
date = February 15, 2006
url = http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2006/tequin_DHCP.pdf
title = Dear Healthcare Provider:
format = PDF
publisher = Bristol-Myers Squibb
accessdate = May 1
accessyear = 2006] Subsequently it was reported on May 1, 2006 that Bristol-Myers Squibb would stop manufacture of Tequin, end sales of the drug after existing stockpiles were exhausted, and return all rights to Kyorin. [cite news
first=Randolph E.
last=Schmid
author=
url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2006/05/01/national/w120748D88.DTL&type=health
title=Drug Company Taking Tequin Off Market
publisher=Associated Press|date= May 1, 2006
accessdate=2006-05-01]

Gatifloxacin is currently available only in the US and Canada as an ophthalmic solution.

In India it is sold in tablet as well as in eye drop formulations.