Before taking gemifloxacin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to  other quinolones  such as ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin, levofloxacin, or moxifloxacin;  or if you have  any other allergies. Before using this medication,  tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: brain or nervous system disorders (e.g., cerebral arteriosclerosis, tumors, increased intracranial pressure), heart problems (e.g., cardiomyopathy, slow heart rate, torsades de pointes, QTc prolongation), history  of seizures, kidney disease, liver disease, muscle/joint/tendon problems, untreated mineral imbalance (e.g., low potassium  or magnesium). This drug  may make  you dizzy  or drowsy; use caution engaging  in activities requiring alertness such as driving  or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages. This medication may make  you more sensitive to the sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths  or sunlamps. Use  a sunscreen  and wear protective clothing when outdoors. If  you have diabetes and are taking insulin  or oral anti-diabetic drugs (e.g., glyburide), you may experience changes in  blood glucose  levels due  to infection  or use  of gemifloxacin. Monitor your blood glucose frequently while using this medication  and notify  your doctor if you experience symptoms  of high  or low blood sugar. Symptoms  of high blood sugar include increased thirst and urination. Symptoms  of low blood sugar include dizziness, hunger, sweating and fast pulse. Caution is advised when using this drug in  the elderly because they  may be more sensitive  to its side effects (e.g., tendon problems, especially  if they are also taking corticosteroids drugs  such as prednisone). Caution is advised when using this drug  in children. Contact your doctor for more information. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks  and benefits with your doctor. It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult  your doctor before breast-feeding. 

DRUG INTERACTIONS:  See also How to Use section. Before using this medication,  tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products  you may use, especially of: "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), diabetes medications (e.g., glyburide, insulin), probenecid, live vaccines. Report the use of drugs which might increase seizure risk (decrease seizure threshold) when combined with  gemifloxacin, such as phenothiazines (e.g., thioridazine), tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline), isoniazid (INH), or theophylline. Other drugs besides gemifloxacin which may affect  the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation in the EKG) include amiodarone, dofetilide, pimozide, quinidine, sotalol, procainamide, and sparfloxacin among others. QTc prolongation can infrequently result in serious, rarely fatal, irregular heartbeats. Consult your  doctor or pharmacist for details. Ask for instructions about whether  you need to stop any other QTc-prolonging drugs  you may be using in order to minimize the risk of this effect.  Do not start  or stop any medicine without doctor  or pharmacist approval. 

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents  should call their local poison control center directly. 

NOTES: Do not share  this medication with others. This medication has been prescribed only for your current condition. Do not use it later for other infections unless directed by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in those cases. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., kidney and liver function tests, blood count, cultures)  should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details. 

MISSED DOSE:  If you miss a dose, use it  as soon as you remember. If  it is near the  time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the  dose to catch up. 

STORAGE:  Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store  in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.