Zymaxid

Zymaxid is a prescription medication used to treat certain bacterial infections of the eye. Zymaxid belongs to a group of drugs called fluoroquinolones. These antibacterial drugs work to treat eye infections by killing certain susceptible bacteria.

This medication comes in eyedrop form and is typically administered during waking hours into the affected eye(s) every two hours on the first day, then two to four times daily for the next 6 days.

Common side effects of Zymaxid include redness and irritation of the eye, dry eyes, and taste disturbances. 

Before taking Zymaxid, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to Zymaxid or to any of its ingredients
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
• wear contact lenses
• have frequent eye infections
• have any immune-system suppressing conditions such as HIV/AIDS
• are currently using any other eyedrop medications or other antibacterial medications

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication
• your age

The recommended dose of Zymaxid for the treatment of bacterial eye infections caused by susceptible bacteria is one drop administered into the affected eye(s) every two hours on the first day during waking hours, then two to four times daily for the next six days for a total of seven days of treatment.

• Store at 15°-25°C (59°-77°F)
• Protect from freezing
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on gatifloxacin used in the eyes. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Gatifloxacin eye drops are used to treat infections of the eye, such as bacterial conjunctivitis. Gatifloxacin belongs to a group of medicines called fluoroquinolone antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria that cause conjunctivitis.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of Zymaxid® in children. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 1 year of age.

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of Zymar® in children.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of gatifloxacin eye drops in the elderly.

Pregnancy

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Corneal problems—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

Zymaxid® is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to gatifloxacin, to other quinolones, or to any of the components in this medication [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

You should not wear contact lenses while you still have active symptoms of an eye infection.

Do not use other eye medications during treatment with Zymaxid unless your doctor tells you to.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Zymaxid: hives; difficulty breathing; slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• eye swelling, severe discomfort, crusting or drainage (may be signs of a new infection); or

• any new or worsening eye problems.

Common Zymaxid side effects may include:

• mild itching, burning, redness, or irritation;

• watery eyes; or

• puffy eyelids.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.