Gatifloxacin is an antibiotic of the fluoroquinolone family, that like other members of that family, inhibits the bacterial enzymes DNA gyrase and Topoisomerase IV. Bristol-Myers Squibb introduced Gatifloxacin in 1999 under the proprietary name Tequin® for the treatment of respiratory tract infections, having licensed the medication from Kyorin Pharmaceutical Company of Japan. Allergan produces an eye-drop formulation called Zymar. Gatifloxacin is available as tablets and in various aqueous solutions for intravenous therapy.

Side-effects and removal from the market

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A Canadian study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in March 2006 claims Tequin® can have "life threatening" side effects including serious diabetes. Note: publication date 30 March; available on-line 1 March An editorial by Dr. Jerry Gurwitz in the same issue called for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to consider giving Tequin® a black box warning. This editorial followed distribution of a letter dated February 15 by Bristol-Myers Squibb to health care providers indicating action taken with the FDA to strengthen warnings for the medication. Subsequently it was reported on May 1, 2006 that Bristol-Myers Squibb would stop manufacture of Tequin, end sales of the drug after existing stockpiles were exhausted, and return all rights to Kyorin.

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