Zymar
Zymar - General Information
Zymar 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 Zymar 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®. Zymar is available as tablets and in various aqueous solutions for intravenous therapy. [Wikipedia]
Pharmacology of Zymar
Zymar is a synthetic broad-spectrum 8-methoxyfluoroquinolone antibacterial agent for oral or intravenous administration. is bactericidal and its mode of action depends on blocking of bacterial DNA replication by binding itself to an enzyme called DNA gyrase, which allows the untwisting required to replicate one DNA double helix into two. Notably the drug has 100 times higher affinity for bacterial DNA gyrase than for mammalian. Zymar is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. It should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria.
Zymar for patients
TEQGUINâ
(gatifloxacin)
200 mg and 400 mg Tablets
This section contains important information about TEQUIN (gatifloxacin) that you should read before you begin treatment. This section does not list all the benefits and risks of TEQUIN and does not take the place of discussions with your doctor or healthcare professional about your medical condition or your treatment. If you have questions, talk with your healthcare professional. The medicine described here can only be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. Only your healthcare professional can determine if TEQUIN is right for you.
What is TEQUIN?
TEQUIN (pronounced TEK win) is an antibiotic used to treat lung, sinus, skin, or urinary tract infections, and also to treat certain sexually transmitted diseases caused by germs called bacteria. TEQUIN kills many of the kinds of bacteria that can infect the lungs, sinus, skin, and urinary tract and that cause certain sexually transmitted diseases. TEQUIN has been shown in a large number of clinical trials to be safe and effective for the treatment of bacterial infections.
Sometimes viruses, rather than bacteria, may infect the lungs and sinuses (for example, the common cold). TEQUIN, like all other antibiotics, does not kill viruses.
The sexually transmitted disease called gonorrhea is treated by TEQUIN. Other diseases called syphilis or non-gonococcal disease are not treated by TEQUIN.
You should contact your doctor if you think your condition is not improving while taking TEQUIN. TEQUIN Tablets are white and contain either 200 mg or 400 mg of active drug.
How and when should I take TEQUIN?
TEQUIN should be taken once a day for 1 to 14 days depending on your prescription. It should be swallowed whole and may be taken with or without food. Try to take the tablet at the same time each day.
You may begin to feel better quickly; however, in order to make sure that all bacteria are killed, you should complete the full course of medication. Do not take more than the prescribed dose of TEQUIN. Try not to miss a dose, but if you do, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dose.
Who should not take TEQUIN?
You should avoid TEQUIN if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any medicine in the group of antibiotics known as "quinolones" such as CIPROâ (ciprofloxacin) or LEVAQUINâ (levofloxacin).
You should avoid TEQUIN if you have a rare condition known as congenital prolongation of the QTc interval. If any of your family members have this condition, you should inform your healthcare professional.
You should avoid TEQUIN if you are being treated for heart rhythm disturbances with certain medicines such as quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone, or sotalol. Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking a heart rhythm drug.
You should avoid TEQUIN if you have a condition known as hypokalemia (low blood potassium). Hypokalemia may be caused by medicines called diuretics such as furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide. If you are taking a diuretic you should speak with your healthcare professional.
If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant while taking TEQUIN, talk to your doctor before taking this medication. TEQUIN is not recommended for use during pregnancy or nursing, as the effects on the unborn child or nursing infant are unknown.
TEQUIN is not recommended for children.
What about other medications I am taking?
It is important to let your healthcare provider know all of the medicines that you are using.
· It is important to let your healthcare provider know if you are taking certain medicines that can have an effect on an electrocardiogram test, such as cisapride, erythromycin, some antidepressants, and some antipsychotic drugs.
· You should tell your healthcare professional if you are taking medicines called diuretics (also sometimes called water pills) such as furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide, because diuretics can sometimes cause low potassium.
· If you have diabetes, it is important to let your healthcare provider know that you have this condition and what medications you are taking for it.
· Many antacids and multivitamins may interfere with the absorption of TEQUIN and may prevent it from working properly. You should take TEQUIN 4 hours before taking these products.
What are the possible side effects of TEQUIN?
TEQUIN is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects that can occur when taking TEQUIN are usually mild and include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, dizziness, and headache. You should be careful about driving or operating machinery until you are sure TEQUIN does not cause dizziness. If you notice any side effects not mentioned in this section or if you have any question or concerns about the side effects you are experiencing, please discuss them with your healthcare professional.
In a few people, TEQUIN, like some other antibiotics, may produce a small effect on the heart that is seen on an electrocardiogram test. Although this did not cause any problems in patients who took TEQUIN in premarketing clinical trials, in theory, it could result in extremely rare cases of abnormal heartbeat, which may be dangerous. Contact your healthcare professional if you develop heart palpitations (fast beating) or have fainting spells.
Disturbances of blood sugar, including symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), have been reported with TEQUIN in diabetic patients. Elderly patients with additional medical problems or taking additional medications may also be at risk for high blood sugar. If you develop low blood sugar while on TEQUIN, you should take immediate measures to increase your blood sugar, stop taking TEQUIN, and contact your healthcare professional at once. If you develop high blood sugar while on TEQUIN, you should contact your healthcare professional at once before taking additional TEQUIN. If you have diabetes or suspect that you may have diabetes, discuss how to detect changes in your blood sugar with your healthcare professional at once before taking additional TEQUIN.
Where can I get more information about TEQUIN?
This section is a summary of the most important information about TEQUIN. It does not include everything there is to know about TEQUIN. If you have any questions or problems, you should talk to your doctor or healthcare provider. There is also a leaflet (Package Insert) written for healthcare professionals that your pharmacist can let you read. You may want to read this information and discuss it with your doctor or other healthcare professional. Remember, no written information can replace careful discussion with your doctor.
Remember
· Take your dose of TEQUIN once a day.
· Complete the course of medication (take all of the pills) even if you are feeling better.
· Do not use TEQUIN for another condition or give it to others.
· Store TEQUIN tablets at room temperature in a tightly sealed container.
· Throw away TEQUIN when it is outdated or no longer needed by flushing it down the toilet.
· Keep this and all medications out of reach of children.
Zymar Interactions
Zymar Contraindications
TEQUIN is contraindicated in persons with a history of hypersensitivity to gatifloxacin or any member of the quinolone class of antimicrobial agents.
Additional information about Zymar
Zymar Indication: For the treatment of bronchitis, sinusitis, community-acquired pneumonia, and skin infections (abscesses, wounds) caused by S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, S. aureus, M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae, L. pneumophila, S. pyogenes
Mechanism Of Action: The bactericidal action of Zymar results from inhibition of the enzymes topoisomerase II (DNA gyrase) and topoisomerase IV, which are required for bacterial DNA replication, transcription, repair, and recombination.
Drug Interactions: Aluminium Formation of non-absorbable complexes
Iron Formation of non-absorbable complexes
Magnesium oxide Formation of non-absorbable complexes
Magnesium Formation of non-absorbable complexes
Salicylate-magnesium Formation of non-absorbable complexes
Sucralfate Formation of non-absorbable complexes
Zinc Formation of non-absorbable complexes
Warfarin Zymar increases the anticoagulant effect
Acenocoumarol Zymar increases the anticoagulant effect
Dicumarol Zymar increases the anticoagulant effect
Anisindione Zymar increases the anticoagulant effect
Amiodarone Increased risk of cardiotoxicity and arrhythmias
Bepridil Increased risk of cardiotoxicity and arrhythmias
Bretylium Increased risk of cardiotoxicity and arrhythmias
Chlorpromazine Increased risk of cardiotoxicity and arrhythmias
Digoxin Zymar increases the effect of digoxin
Dihydroquinidine barbiturate Increased risk of cardiotoxicity and arrhythmias
Disopyramide Increased risk of cardiotoxicity and arrhythmias
Fluphenazine Increased risk of cardiotoxicity and arrhythmias
Methotrimeprazine Increased risk of cardiotoxicity and arrhythmias
Mesoridazine Increased risk of cardiotoxicity and arrhythmias
Perphenazine Increased risk of cardiotoxicity and arrhythmias
Prochlorperazine Increased risk of cardiotoxicity and arrhythmias
Promazine Increased risk of cardiotoxicity and arrhythmias
Promethazine Increased risk of cardiotoxicity and arrhythmias
Propiomazine Increased risk of cardiotoxicity and arrhythmias
Triflupromazine Increased risk of cardiotoxicity and arrhythmias
Trifluoperazine Increased risk of cardiotoxicity and arrhythmias
Quinidine Increased risk of cardiotoxicity and arrhythmias
Quinidine barbiturate Increased risk of cardiotoxicity and arrhythmias
Quinupristin This combination presents an increased risk of toxicity
Sotalol Increased risk of cardiotoxicity and arrhythmias
Thiethylperazine Increased risk of cardiotoxicity and arrhythmias
Thioridazine Increased risk of cardiotoxicity and arrhythmias
Food Interactions: Take without regard to meals.
Drink liberally.
Absorption does not seem to be affected by milk or calcium carbonate, however, gatifloxacin bioavailability appears significantly reduced when combined with Ensure™ (Cmax is reduced by about 50% while total drug exposure (AUC) is reduced by about 25%).
Generic Name: Gatifloxacin
Synonyms: Not Available
Drug Category: Antibiotics
Drug Type: Small Molecule; Approved
Other Brand Names containing Gatifloxacin: Tequin; Zymar;
Absorption: Well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration with absolute bioavailability of gatifloxacin is 96%
Toxicity (Overdose): Not Available
Protein Binding: 20%
Biotransformation: Gatifloxacin undergoes limited biotransformation in humans with less than 1% of the dose excreted in the urine as ethylenediamine and methylethylenediamine metabolites
Half Life: 7-14 hours
Dosage Forms of Zymar: Solution Ophthalmic
Chemical IUPAC Name: 1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-8-methoxy-7-(3-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid
Chemical Formula: C19H22FN3O4
Gatifloxacin on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gatifloxacin
Organisms Affected: Enteric bacteria and other eubacteria
