Drug interactions
Gemifloxacin + Lithium
Severity: Moderate
Gemifloxacin and Lithium: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Lithium has been associated with QT prolongation and arrhythmia, mostly in toxicity or with underlying conduction disease. Together with gemifloxacin the QT risk may increase, particularly if lithium levels are high or electrolytes are abnormal.
What this interaction means in plain words
Gemifloxacin and Lithium can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Gemifloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive effects on cardiac repolarization.
What to do
Check baseline ECG and electrolytes in patients with cardiac risk factors. Monitor serum lithium and consider an alternative antibiotic.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Gemifloxacin
- Arsenic trioxide + Gemifloxacin Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Gemifloxacin Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Vandetanib Contraindicated
Other interactions of Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Gemifloxacin with Lithium?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Gemifloxacin and Lithium can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Lithium has been associated with QT prolongation and arrhythmia, mostly in toxicity or with underlying conduction disease. Together with gemifloxacin the QT risk may increase, particularly if lithium levels are high or electrolytes are abnormal.
How serious is the interaction between Gemifloxacin and Lithium?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check baseline ECG and electrolytes in patients with cardiac risk factors. Monitor serum lithium and consider an alternative antibiotic.
What other medicines interact with Gemifloxacin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Gemifloxacin with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Dofetilide, Ibutilide. The full list is on the Gemifloxacin page.
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