Tequin

What is Tequin

Tequin is an antibiotic in the class of drugs called fluoroquinolones. It fights bacteria in the body.

Tequin is used to treat bacterial infections of the lungs, sinuses, skin, and urinary tract and certain sexually transmitted diseases.

Tequin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

General medical information about Tequin

Take all of the Tequin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated.

Do not take Tequin without first talking to your doctor if you or any member of your family have a heart condition known as prolongation of the QT interval. Also, do not take Tequin if you are being treated for heart rhythm disturbances with drugs such as quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute, others), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan SR, others), amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone, others), sotalol (Betapace), and others.

Take Tequin at least 4 hours before antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (e.g. Rolaids, Maalox, others); vitamin or mineral supplements that contain zinc, magnesium or iron; or didanosine chewable/buffered tablets or pediatric powder for oral solution (ddI, Videx, Videx Pediatric, others). These medicines may decrease the effectiveness of Tequin.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Tequin may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.

What you should find out before taking Tequin

Before taking Tequin, tell your doctor if you have:
- a low level of potassium in your blood;
- a slow heart rate;
- heart disease;
- diabetes;
- kidney disease;
- liver disease; or
- epilepsy or another seizure disorder.

You may not be able to take Tequin or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment.

Tequin is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Tequin will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take Tequin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

It is unknown whether Tequin passes into breast milk. Do not take Tequin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.

If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from Tequin. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.

How should take Tequin

Take Tequin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Drink plenty of fluid while taking Tequin.

Tequin can be taken with or without food.

Tequin is usually taken once a day. Take each dose at the same time every day. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Take all of the Tequin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated.

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose:

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if you overdose:

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a Tequin overdose include decreased activity and rate of breathing, vomiting, tremors, and convulsions.

Avoid while taking Tequin

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Although it has not been reported with the use of Tequin, other similar medicines have increased the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Severe sunburn has resulted, even with minimal sun exposure. If exposure to the sun is unavoidable while taking Tequin, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Call your doctor if you experience severe burning, redness, itching, rash, or swelling after exposure to the sun.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Tequin may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.

Possible side effects of Tequin

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Tequin and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- irregular or rapid heartbeats;
- fainting;
- seizures;
- liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue);
- muscle or joint pain; or
- a skin rash.

If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue taking Tequin and talk to your doctor:
- nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or diarrhea;
- dizziness;
- headache; or
- increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Tequin

Do not take Tequin without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
- the heart medicines quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute, others), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan SR, others), amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone, others), sotalol (Betapace), and others;
- a tricyclic antidepressant including amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), amoxapine (Asendin), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), doxepin (Sinequan), and others;
- a phenothiazine including chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), perphenazine (Trilafon), mesoridazine (Serentil), thioridazine (Mellaril), and others;
- erythromycin (E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, E.E.S., others); or
- cisapride (Propulsid).

Tequin and the drugs listed above may affect the rhythm of your heartbeats. You may not be able to take Tequin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Before taking Tequin, tell your doctor if you are taking:
- warfarin (Coumadin);
- probenecid (Benemid and others);
- digoxin (Lanoxin and others); or
- a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail), and others.

You may not be able to take Tequin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Tequin. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.