Gaforin Special Precautions

Benzalkonium Chloride, which is commonly used as a preservative in ophthalmic products, has been reported to cause punctate keratopathy and/or toxic ulcerative keratopathy. Since this drug contains Benzalkonium Chloride, close monitoring is required in frequent or prolonged use in dry eye patients, or in conditions where the cornea is compromised.
Contact lenses: Patients should be advised not to wear contact lenses if their eye is red. This drug should not be used to treat contact lenses-related irritation. The preservative in this drug, Benzalkonium Chloride, may be absorbed by soft contact lenses and whose eyes are not red should be instructed to wait at least 10 minutes after instilling this drug before they insert contact lenses.
Prolonged use may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms, including fungi. If superinfection occurs discontinue use and institute alternative therapy.
Patients should be advised not to wear contact lenses if they have signs and symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis.
Avoid contaminating the applicator tip with material from the eye, fingers or other source.
Discontinue use immediately and contact the physician at the first sign of a rash or allergic reactions.
Gatifloxacin solution should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Caution should be exercised when Gatifloxacin is administered to nursing mothers.
Safety and effectiveness in infants below the age of one year have not been established.
In patients receiving systemic quinolones, including Gatifloxacin, serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions, some following the first dose, have been reported. Some reactions were accompanied by cardiovascular collapse, loss of consciousness, angioedema (including laryngeal, pharyngeal or facial edema), airway obstruction, dyspnea, urticaria, and itching. If an allergic reaction to Gatifloxacin occurs, discontinue the drug. Serious acute hypersensitivity reactions may require immediate emergency treatment. Oxygen and airway management should be administered as clinically indicated.