INN monograph
Gemifloxacin
Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class) · POM
Verified · Updated 01 Aug 2026 · Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Kenya market
Wholesale / list prices where loaded
Risk first
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to the active substance or excipients.
- Additional absolute contraindications are indication- and product-specific — consult SmPC.
Precautions
- Quinolones should be used with caution in children with a history of epilepsy or conditions that predispose to seizures, in G6PD deficiency, myasthenia gravis (risk of exacerbation).
- Exposure to excessive sunlight should be avoided (discontinue if photosensitivity occurs).
- Quinolones may induce convulsions in patients with or without a history of convulsions
- taking NSAIDs at the same time may also induce them.
- May cause arthropathy in the weight-bearing joints of immature animals and are therefore generally not recommended in children and growing adolescents.
- However, the significance of this effect in humans is uncertain and in some specific circumstances short-term use of a quinolone in children is justified.
- Should be avoid in pregnancy and lactation.
Point of care
Dosing
Adult
Dosing is indication-, age-, weight- and organ-function-specific for this INN. Do not use class averages for high-risk patients. Confirm the exact regimen in the current SmPC and Kenya Standard Treatment Guidelines. Typical professional workflow: (1) confirm indication, (2) check renal/hepatic function, (3) screen interactions/allergies, (4) select dose/route/duration, (5) define monitoring.
Paediatric
Paediatric dosing is weight- and age-based; use a paediatric formulary / SmPC. Do not extrapolate adult tablets without calculation.
Renal
Review renal impairment dosing; many agents need CrCl/eGFR adjustment.
- CrCl 0–120: Confirm renal dosing in product SmPC / primary label.
Hepatic
Review hepatic impairment dosing; monitor LFTs if agent is hepatically cleared or hepatotoxic.
Safety
Drug interactions
- It is more potent in vitro than ciprofloxacin or ofloxacin against Gram-positive aerobes [but it is more expensive!].
- It is the most potent of the quinolones tested against streptococci and most ciprofloxacin-resistant pneumococci.
- Moxifloxacin and gemifloxacin is more potent than ciprofloxacin or ofloxacin against all staphylococci and many ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates.
Safety
Adverse effects
- Adverse reactions vary by agent.
- Counsel on common predictable effects and serious warning symptoms (allergy, severe rash, jaundice, unusual bleeding, severe GI symptoms, neurological changes).
- Report suspected ADRs via national pharmacovigilance channels.
Use
Indications
- ENT, UTI, RTI, skin and soft tissues, bone, joint, GI, intra-abdominal, pelvic and severe infections, gonorrhoea.
- Clinical selection for Gemifloxacin should follow culture results where relevant, Kenya STG/EML recommendations, and the current product SmPC.
- Class context: Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class).
- Confirm site-specific dose, duration and monitoring before prescribing.
Pharmacology
Mode of action
Interferes with bacterial DNA synthesis by inhibiting topoisomerase II (DNA gyrase) and topoisomerase IV.
Full mechanism text
Interferes with bacterial DNA synthesis by inhibiting topoisomerase II (DNA gyrase) and topoisomerase IV. Mechanism is agent-specific. At receptor, enzyme, ion channel, transporter or microbial target level, the drug alters a physiological or pathological pathway to produce its therapeutic effect. Confirm precise molecular mechanism in current SmPC / pharmacology reference for this INN before high-stakes decisions.
ADME
Pharmacokinetics & PD
| Onset | Product-specific |
|---|---|
| Duration | Product-specific |
| Route | See product SmPC |
| Elimination | are product-specific. Consider food effects, protein binding, hepatic CYP/UGT |
| Half-life | when adjusting for organ impairment, age and drug interactions. Verify parameters in the current SmPC. |
Full PK/PD text
Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion are product-specific. Consider food effects, protein binding, hepatic CYP/UGT metabolism, renal clearance and half-life when adjusting for organ impairment, age and drug interactions. Verify parameters in the current SmPC.
Kenya
Brands & prices
| Brand | Company | Pack | KES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gemiflox | Popular Pharmaceuticals Ltd | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
Special populations
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
Use only if potential benefit justifies potential risk; prefer agents with better reproductive data when alternatives exist.
Lactation
Assess infant risk vs benefit of maternal therapy; prefer agents with lactation data.
Diet
Food & alcohol
- Food
- Food
Trust
Sources & disclaimer
Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Last reviewed: 01 Aug 2026
Decision support only — not a substitute for clinical judgment, product SmPC, or Kenya STG/EML.