Case Evaluation

Tequin: Tequin Overview

Tequin Overview

What is Tequin?

Tequin is an antibiotic in a group 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. It is also used to treat certain sexually transmitted diseases. Tequin does not kill viruses which attack the lungs and sinuses, and while it treats gonorrhea, it does not treat other STDs like syphilis and non-gonococcal diseases. Tequin may also be used for purposes other than those listed here. Tequin is a drug made by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and was approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 1999.

Tequin FDA Alert

In March 2006, the FDA announced that Bristol-Myers Squibb Company revised the labeling on Tequin because it caused some people to have serious blood sugar problems (low blood sugar or high blood sugar).

Who Should Not Take Tequin?

You should not take Tequin if you are allergic to it or any 'quinolones' such as:

  • Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
  • Gatifloxacin (Tequin, Zymar)
  • Levofloxacin (Levaquin)
  • Lomefloxacin (Maxaquin)
  • Moxifloxacin (Avelox, Vigamox)
  • Gemifloxacin (Factive)
  • Norfloxacin (Noroxin)
  • Ofloxacin (Floxin)

You should not take Tequin if you:

  • have (or have family history of) a rare heart condition called congenital prolongation of the QT interval
  • have low blood potassium sometimes caused by medicines called diuretics or "water pills"
  • take medicines for irregular heartbeat
  • have diabetes or high blood sugar

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Tequin?

You should not take Tequin if you have diabetes.

Before taking Tequin, tell your doctor if you have a heart rhythm disorder, especially if you are being treated with one of these medications: quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute), disopyramide (Norpace), bretylium (Bretylol), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan SR), amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), or sotalol (Betapace).

Before taking Tequin, tell your doctor if you have:

  • a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome";
  • a low level of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia);
  • heart disease or a heart rhythm disorder;
  • kidney disease;
  • liver disease; or
  • epilepsy or another seizure disorder.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Tequin or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is unknown if Tequin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not take Tequin without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Tequin should not be given to a child younger than 18 years old and if you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to have side effects from Tequin. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.

Other Recommendations When Taking Tequin When taking Tequin, it is recommended that you:

  • Do not drive or operate dangerous machines until you know how Tequin affects you. Tequin can cause dizziness.
  • Avoid long exposure to sunlight, since Tequin makes skin more sensitive to sunlight and may cause severe sunburn. Also, Tequin for oral suspension contains phenylalanine. This is important to know if you have a condition called Phenylketonuria.

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