Gemifloxacin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 23, 2024.

Applies to gemifloxacin: oral tablet.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (tablet)

Fluoroquinolones, including gemifloxacin mesylate, are associated with disabling and potentially irreversible serious adverse reactions that have occurred together, including tendinitis and tendon rupture, peripheral neuropathy, and CNS effects.

Discontinue gemifloxacin mesylate and avoid use of fluoroquinolones in patients with these serious adverse reactions.

Reserve use of gemifloxacin mesylate for patients with no alternative treatment options for acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis.

Fluoroquinolones, including gemifloxacin mesylate, may exacerbate muscle weakness in persons with myasthenia gravis.

Avoid in patients with known history of myasthenia gravis.

Serious side effects of gemifloxacin

Along with its needed effects, gemifloxacin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking gemifloxacin:

Less common side effects

• rash

Rare side effects

• body aches or pain
• burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
• chest pain or tightness
• chills
• fever
• hives or welts, itching skin
• lightheadedness
• painful or difficult urination
• muscle aching or cramping
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• swollen glands
• trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
• unsteadiness or awkwardness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
• yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

• bleeding gums
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• bloody urine
• blurred or double vision or other changes in vision
• bone pain
• confusion
• cough
• coughing up blood
• decreased frequency or amount of urine
• difficulty with breathing or swallowing
• difficulty with chewing or talking
• dizziness
• drooping eyelids
• fainting
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• headache
• increased blood pressure
• increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
• increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
• increased thirst
• irregular heartbeat, recurrent
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• muscle pain or weakness
• nausea
• numbness or tingling in the face, arms, or legs
• nosebleeds
• painful, swollen joints
• paralysis
• prolonged bleeding from cuts
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• rapid weight gain
• red or black, tarry stools
• red or dark brown urine
• redness or other discoloration of the skin
• sensation of skin burning
• severe sunburn
• severe tiredness
• stomach cramps or tenderness
• swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
• trouble speaking, thinking, or walking
• unusual weight gain or loss
• vomiting
• watery or bloody diarrhea

Other side effects of gemifloxacin

Some side effects of gemifloxacin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Rare side effects

• bad, unusual, or unpleasant taste
• difficulty having a bowel movement
• dryness or soreness of the throat
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• hoarseness
• redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
• sudden sweating
• voice changes

For healthcare professionals

Applies to gemifloxacin: oral tablet.

Dermatologic adverse events

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dermatitis, pruritus, urticaria
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Eczema, photosensitivity/phototoxicity reactions
• Postmarketing reports: Erythema multiforme, skin exfoliation^[Ref]

Most side effects reported during postmarketing experience were cutaneous (some were considered serious) and the majority of these were rash. Most rashes occurred in patients younger than 40 years, in women (especially those on hormone replacement therapy), and in patients taking this drug for longer treatment durations (over 7 days).

The phototoxic potential of this drug may be dose-dependent.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Constipation, dry mouth, dyspepsia, flatulence, gastritis
• Rare (less than 0.1%):Gastroenteritis, nonspecified gastrointestinal disorder
• Frequency not reported: Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea
• Postmarketing reports: Antibiotic-associated colitis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Somnolence, taste perversion
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Tremor, vertigo, central nervous system effects
• Frequency not reported: Seizures, sensory axonal polyneuropathy, sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy, paresthesias, hypoesthesias, dysesthesias, neurotoxicity (presenting as encephalopathy)
• Postmarketing reports: Exacerbation of myasthenia gravis, peripheral neuropathy (may be irreversible), syncope^[Ref]

Cases of sensory or sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy (affecting small and/or large axons) resulting in paresthesias, hypoesthesias, dysesthesias, and weakness have been reported.^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): Increased ALT, increased AST
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased GGT, increased total bilirubin
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Bilirubinemia^[Ref]

Other

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fatigue, fungal infection, increased alkaline phosphatase, increased potassium, decreased albumin, decreased sodium, decreased calcium, decreased total protein, decreased potassium, increased sodium
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Asthenia, facial edema, flushing, hot flashes, pain, moniliasis, increased LDH, increased calcium
• Frequency not reported: Weakness
• Postmarketing reports: Facial swelling, peripheral edema^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anorexia, hyperglycemia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased creatine phosphokinase
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Arthralgia, back pain, leg cramps, myalgia
• Frequency not reported: Tendinitis
• Postmarketing reports: Tendon rupture^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased platelets, decreased neutrophils, increased neutrophils, decreased hematocrit, decreased hemoglobin, decreased platelets, decreased RBCs, increased hematocrit, increased hemoglobin, increased RBCs, leukopenia, thrombocythemia
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Anemia, eosinophilia, granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia
• Postmarketing reports: Hemorrhage, increased INR^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Insomnia
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Nervousness

Renal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased BUN, increased serum creatinine
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Increased non-protein nitrogen
• Frequency not reported: Acute renal failure
• Postmarketing reports: Renal failure^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Genital moniliasis, genital pruritus, vaginitis
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Abnormal urine^[Ref]

Ocular

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Abnormal vision
• Postmarketing reports: Retinal hemorrhage^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Dyspnea, pharyngitis, pneumonia
• Frequency not reported: Bronchitis^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Frequency not reported: Ventricular extrasystoles
• Postmarketing reports: Prolonged QT, supraventricular tachycardia, transient ischemic attack^[Ref]

QTc interval prolongation has been reported; no cardiovascular morbidity or mortality due to QTc prolongation occurred during studies. Maximum QTc changes occurred 5 to 10 hours after oral administration of this drug. This effect may be dose-related.^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity reactions
• Postmarketing reports: Anaphylactic reactions^[Ref]

Further information

Gemifloxacin side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

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