Gatifloxacin ophthalmic
Pronunciation: pronunciation varies by local usage.
- Generic name
- gatifloxacin
- Brand names
- Zymar, Zymaxid
- Drug class
- Quinolone antimicrobial
- Form
- Sterile ophthalmic solution 0.5% (5 mg/mL)
- Route
- Topical ophthalmic use
- Legal status
- Prescription medicine
Supply Rules Vary
Trade names by country: United States · Canada
Australia: · Full directory
What gatifloxacin is and how it works
Gatifloxacin ophthalmic is a prescription quinolone antimicrobial eye-drop solution. It is used for bacterial conjunctivitis caused by susceptible bacteria covered by the US product label. (1) (2)
This medicine is for use in the eye only and should be used according to the prescription label and clinician's directions. It is not presented here as treatment for viral, allergic, fungal, contact-lens-related, or undiagnosed red eye.
Mechanism of action: how gatifloxacin works
Gatifloxacin ophthalmic is a prescription quinolone antimicrobial for topical ophthalmic use. (1) (2)
What gatifloxacin is used for
Bacterial conjunctivitis
The current US label indicates gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.5% for bacterial conjunctivitis caused by susceptible strains of Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus mitis group, Streptococcus oralis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. (1)
Before taking gatifloxacin
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Do not use gatifloxacin ophthalmic if there is a history of hypersensitivity to gatifloxacin, other quinolones, or any product component. Contact the prescriber or pharmacist to review an uncertain allergy history. (gatifloxacin ophthalmic products) (1)
- Do not use this medicine by injection or introduce it into the anterior chamber of the eye. It is for topical ophthalmic use only; direct anterior-chamber exposure may injure corneal endothelial cells. (route of administration) (1)
Tell your clinician about
- Any previous allergic reaction to gatifloxacin, another quinolone, or an ingredient in an eye-drop product.
- All medicines, eye products, and other treatments currently being used, so the prescriber or pharmacist can review the medication list.
- Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
- Whether symptoms are worsening, are not improving, or new eye problems have developed.
- Contact-lens use, because MedlinePlus advises not wearing contact lenses while bacterial-conjunctivitis symptoms are present or while applying the drops.
How to take gatifloxacin
- Use gatifloxacin ophthalmic only in the eye and follow the prescription label and clinician's directions.
- Do not use the drops as an injection or for any intraocular use.
- Wash hands and keep the dropper tip clean. Avoid touching the tip to the eye, fingers, or another surface.
- Do not change, extend, repeat, or switch an antibiotic course without direction from the prescriber.
- Do not wear contact lenses while symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis are present or while applying the drops, unless the treating clinician gives product-specific advice.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2)
Missed dose
MedlinePlus advises using a missed dose when remembered unless it is nearly time for the next dose, then returning to the normal schedule. Never use a double dose. Contact the prescriber or pharmacist if the prescribed schedule is uncertain.
Overdose
Overdose guidance is not described in the supplied research notes. If more than the prescribed amount may have been used, or the product was used by the wrong route, contact the prescriber, pharmacist, poison-information service, or urgent medical service for advice. Seek emergency care for breathing difficulty or suspected severe allergic reaction. (1) (2)
Side effects
Reported effects can include eye symptoms and altered taste. Post-marketing reports cannot reliably establish how often an effect occurs or whether gatifloxacin caused it.
Worsening conjunctivitis, eye irritation, altered taste, or eye pain
What to notice: These were the most frequent reported reactions in trials, each reported in at least 1% of participants.
What to do: Contact the clinician if symptoms are troublesome, worsen, fail to improve, or new eye problems occur. (1) (2)
Other eye effects or headache
What to notice: Reported effects with other formulations include chemosis, conjunctival haemorrhage, dry eye, discharge, eyelid swelling, increased tears, keratitis, red eye, papillary conjunctivitis, reduced visual acuity, blurred vision, and headache.
What to do: Contact the clinician for assessment if these effects occur, particularly if they are new, worsening, or accompanied by other eye problems. (1) (2)
Possible superinfection or lack of response
What to notice: Symptoms that fail to improve, worsen, or new eye problems. Prolonged use may allow overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms, including fungi.
What to do: Contact the prescriber promptly for reassessment. Alternative therapy, if needed, must be selected by the prescriber. (1) (2)
Possible allergic reaction without breathing difficulty
What to notice: Rash, hives, itching, hoarseness, or swelling of the face, throat, tongue, or lips.
Serious warnings
Severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis — emergency
Symptoms: Difficulty breathing or swallowing; swelling of the face, throat, tongue, or lips; hives; itching; angioedema; or hoarseness.
Action: Seek emergency medical care immediately for breathing or swallowing difficulty or a suspected severe allergic reaction. The label reports that serious reactions can occur, including after a single dose. (1) (2)
Severe skin reaction report — urgent
Symptoms: A severe rash or other symptoms suggesting a serious allergic reaction.
Action: Obtain urgent medical assessment. Rare Stevens-Johnson syndrome reports have been associated with topical ophthalmic gatifloxacin. (1)
Wrong route of administration — urgent
Symptoms: Use other than topical ophthalmic use, including possible direct introduction into the anterior chamber of the eye.
Action: Obtain urgent medical advice. Gatifloxacin ophthalmic is not for injection or intraocular use, and direct anterior-chamber exposure may injure corneal endothelial cells. (1)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Other medicines and eye products | Specific medicine-interaction information is not described in the supplied research notes. | Give the prescriber or pharmacist a complete medication and eye-product list for review before use. (2) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Children
Safety and effectiveness for bacterial conjunctivitis are established in patients aged 1 year and older. They are not established in children younger than 1 year. (1)
Pregnancy
The US label states that there are no available data in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk. Discuss pregnancy or pregnancy plans with the treating clinician. (1)
Breastfeeding
The US label states that there is no information on gatifloxacin in human milk. Discuss breastfeeding with the treating clinician. (1)
Monitoring
Before starting
- Confirm that the intended use is bacterial conjunctivitis and that gatifloxacin ophthalmic is appropriate.
- Review any history of hypersensitivity to gatifloxacin, other quinolones, or product ingredients.
- Review current medicines and eye products with the prescriber or pharmacist.
- Discuss pregnancy, breastfeeding, contact-lens use, and the correct topical ophthalmic route.
During treatment
- Monitor whether symptoms improve and whether symptoms worsen or new eye problems occur.
- Monitor for eye irritation, eye pain, worsening conjunctivitis, blurred vision, allergic symptoms, and other reported adverse effects.
- The prescriber should reassess possible superinfection or overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms, including fungi, rather than the patient extending or changing antibiotic treatment independently.
Storage
Store at 15–25°C (59–77°F) and protect from freezing. Keep the applicator tip from touching the eye, fingers, or another source of contamination.
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. Use the current local product information, diagnosis, susceptibility context, and prescription directions. This page does not provide a dosing regimen or a self-selected antibiotic course.
United States
Indication: Bacterial conjunctivitis
Dose summary: A current US DailyMed label supports generic gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.5% (5 mg/mL) for the labelled susceptible bacterial causes of conjunctivitis. The exact regimen is not provided in the supplied research notes and should be taken from the current product label and prescription.
Renal context: Renal-dose information is not described in the supplied research notes for topical ophthalmic gatifloxacin. (1)
Canada, United Kingdom, European Union, Australia, and New Zealand
Indication: Availability and local indication unresolved
Dose summary: No local product, strength, brand, availability, or dosing information is established by the supplied research notes.
Renal context: Renal-dose information is unresolved in the supplied research notes. (1)
Hepatic guidance
Hepatic-impairment information is not described in the supplied research notes.
Overdose note
The supplied research notes do not provide a specific overdose management protocol. Wrong-route use, including intraocular exposure, requires urgent clinical assessment. (1) (2)
Frequently asked questions
Is gatifloxacin ophthalmic used for every type of red eye?
No. The current US label covers bacterial conjunctivitis caused by specified susceptible bacteria. This guide does not present it as treatment for viral, allergic, fungal, contact-lens-related, or undiagnosed red eye. (1)
Can these eye drops be injected or used inside the eye?
No. Gatifloxacin ophthalmic is for topical ophthalmic use only. It must not be injected or introduced into the anterior chamber of the eye. (1)
Can I wear contact lenses while using gatifloxacin eye drops?
MedlinePlus advises not wearing contact lenses while symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis are present or while applying the drops. Ask the treating clinician for product-specific advice. (2)
What should I do if I miss a dose?
MedlinePlus advises using the missed dose when remembered unless it is nearly time for the next dose, then returning to the normal schedule. Do not use a double dose; contact the prescriber or pharmacist if unsure. (2)
Are Zymar and Zymaxid current products everywhere?
No conclusion can be made about worldwide availability from these notes. MedlinePlus lists Zymar and Zymaxid, and states that Zymar is no longer on the US market. The supplied current label supports a US generic gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.5%; availability of Zymaxid, generic supply, and products outside the US is unresolved here. (1) (2)
What is the mechanism of action of gatifloxacin?
Gatifloxacin ophthalmic is a prescription quinolone antimicrobial for topical ophthalmic use. (1) (2)
References
- Gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.5% — prescribing informationU.S. National Library of Medicine DailyMed, FDA prescribing information · United States · dated 2025-10 · accessed 2026-08-01 · source 1
- Gatifloxacin OphthalmicMedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine · United States · dated 2016-05-15 · accessed 2026-08-01 · source 2
- ZYMAXID (GATIFLOXACIN) SOLUTION/ DROPS [ALLERGAN, INC.] — US prescribing information (DailyMed SPL)U.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 3
- ZYMAXID — FDA approval record (Drugs@FDA NDA022548)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 4
- gatifloxacin — RxNorm normalized drug concept (RXCUI 228476)U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 5
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient gatifloxacin names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
United States
- ZYMAXID5 mg/mL · allergan, inc.
Canada
- ZYMAR