Gemifloxacin (Oral)

Gemifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. This medication kills bacteria that cause serious respiratory infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis. It is taken orally once a day for five to seven days, depending on the type of infection it is being used to treat.

Side Effects/Warnings

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics can cause tendon damage and ruptures. Tendons are tissue that connect muscles and bones; this tissue can become inflamed while on this medication, causing pain, swelling and difficulty moving. The medication can also cause tendons to rupture, which requires corrective surgery to fix. Patients over the age of 60 and those who have had a kidney, lung or heart transplant are more likely to suffer these side effects than other patients.