What is Tequin?

Tequin or gatifloxacin is an antibiotic used to treat infections in the urinary tract, sinus or lungs. It can also be used to treat certain bacterial sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Trequin is not for treatment of virus infections.

Tequin is a drug made by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and was approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 1999.

Tequin FDA Alert

The FDA issued an alert in 2006 and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company changed its label for Tequin to indicate a warning that the medicine may cause serious blood sugar problems in some people.

Who Should Not Take Tequin?

Those who are allergic to Tequin or any ‘quinolones’ such as:

• Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
• Gatifloxacin (Tequin, Zymar)
• Gemifloxacin (Factive)
• Levofloxacin (Levaquin)
• Lomefloxacin (Maxaquin)
• Moxifloxacin (Avelox, Vigamox)
• Norfloxacin (Noroxin)
• Ofloxacin (Floxin)

Tequin should not be taken by people who:

• have (or have family history of) a rare heart condition called congenital prolongation of the QT interval
• have diabetes or high blood sugar
• have low blood potassium sometimes caused by medicines called diuretics or “water pills”
• take medicines for irregular heartbeat

Let your doctor know, before taking Tequin, if you:

• are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant, or nursing
• have diabetes
• have heart problems
• have kidney problems
• have or had liver problems
• take other prescription or non-prescription medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements — especially those for controlling blood sugar, or treating irregular heartbeat, as well as antidepressant or antipsychotic medicines, diuretics (“water pills”), diabetes medicines, Videx (didanosine), or antacids and multivitamins that contain zinc, magnesium, or iron.

Tequin Health Risks

The most common side effects of Tequin are:

• Abnormal blood sugar level (too low or too high)
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Stomach Pain
• Vomiting

If you take Tequin and experience the following side effects, call your doctor immediately:

• central nervous system side effects including: seizures, dizziness, confusion, tremors, hallucinations, depression, or suicidal thoughts
• pain, inflammation, or rupture of a tendon
• serious blood sugar changes including low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
• severe allergic reactions (trouble breathing; closing of the throat, swelling of the lips, tongue, or face, or hives)

Other Recommendations When Taking Tequin

When taking Tequin, it is recommended that you:

• Do not drive or operate dangerous machines until you know how Tequin affects you, because Tequin can cause dizziness in some people.
• Avoid long exposure to sunlight since Tequin increases the skin’s to sunlight and may cause severe sunburn.

Take note too that Tequin for oral suspension contains phenylalanine. This is important to know if you have Phenylketonuria.

Tequin – Get Legal Help

Even if most medicines are expected to have side effects, it is the duty of the manufacturer of these medicines to inform the medical community and the public of known risks associated with the drugs they produce. Failure to give adequate warning to the public and the medical community of the dangers of the drug makes the manufacturer liable under product liability for any injury that may be caused by their product.

If you or your loved one has suffered any of the dangerous symptoms or unusual reaction after taking Tequin, go to your doctor or the hospital as soon as possible. You may also consider consulting with an experienced attorney in order to get more information regarding your rights and possible remedies for the injuries you suffered because of the use of Tequin.