Gatifloxacin — Compare Prices at US & Canada Pharmacies
Compare real Gatifloxacin prices at US and Canadian pharmacies, see official FDA uses and warnings, and find generic alternatives.
What is the typical price of gatifloxacin without insurance coverage?
Gatifloxacin without insurance generally costs approximately $156.20 for a 2.5 mL bottle of 0.5% ophthalmic solution. Actual prices fluctuate depending on which pharmacy dispenses the medication and regional pricing differences. Many uninsured patients can access discount coupons or pharmacy savings programs to reduce this cost substantially.
How much will I pay for gatifloxacin if I have insurance?
Most insurance plans cover gatifloxacin as a generic medication, but your out-of-pocket cost depends on your specific plan's copay or coinsurance structure. To learn your exact copay amount, contact your insurance company or speak with your pharmacist at the time of filling. It's worth comparing your insurance copay against available discount programs—sometimes the uninsured price with a coupon is lower than your insurance copay.
Is gatifloxacin covered under Medicare, and what would I pay?
Most Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans include gatifloxacin on their formularies and provide at least partial coverage. Your out-of-pocket amount will depend on your individual plan and whether you've met your deductible. Talk to your pharmacist or call your Medicare plan directly to confirm coverage and your expected cost before filling the prescription.
What brand name is gatifloxacin sold under?
Gatifloxacin is the generic name; the brand-name version is Zymaxid. Both contain the same active ingredient and work identically, but gatifloxacin is typically much less expensive because it is available from multiple manufacturers. Speak with your doctor about which option is most appropriate for your treatment, then discuss pricing options with your pharmacist.
Gatifloxacin prices at US pharmacies
(Gatifloxacin) — solution (quantity in ml), 0.5%, qty 2.5
| Pharmacy | Retail price | With discount card |
|---|---|---|
| CVS Pharmacy Lowest | $32.34 | $29.34 |
| Publix | $34.92 | $31.92 |
| Kroger Pharmacy | $46.53 | $43.53 |
| Harris Teeter Pharmacy | $46.53 | $43.53 |
| Food Lion | $44.08 | — |
| Walgreens | $51.01 | $48.01 |
| Walmart Neighborhood Market | $64.35 | $61.35 |
| Walmart Pharmacy | $64.35 | $61.35 |
Gatifloxacin prices at Canadian pharmacies
| Strength | Pharmacy | Per pill (USD) | Pack total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.30 % | InhalersOnline.com | $6.52 | $97.74 |
| 0.30 % | SPFPharmacy.com | $6.73 | $101.01 |
| 0.30 % | SPFPharmacy.com | $8.86 | $44.28 |
| 0.30 % | InhalersOnline.com | $9.36 | $46.79 |
Canada prices are converted to USD at time of collection and shown per tablet where available. Ordering from Canadian pharmacies is legal for personal use in most cases but subject to FDA/CBSA rules — see US vs Canada, explained.
What is Gatifloxacin used for?
Gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution (generic Zymaxid) is a fourth-generation fluoroquinolone formulated as eye drops for bacterial conjunctivitis — the same drug class as oral ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, but applied topically at concentrations that treat the surface of the eye without the systemic exposure that drives the well-known fluoroquinolone tendon, nerve, and cardiac warnings. Because so little of the drug reaches the bloodstream from a few drops in the eye, those systemic boxed warnings that apply to oral and IV fluoroquinolones don't carry over to this formulation in any meaningful way — a point worth being clear about, since gatifloxacin eye drops are sometimes confused with oral fluoroquinolones in patient-facing material.
It covers a broad range of the bacteria that typically cause pink eye, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae, and is approved for use in adults and children one year and older. Like other topical fluoroquinolones, it's usually reserved for conjunctivitis that's bacterial rather than viral or allergic in origin — a distinction your eye doctor makes clinically, since fluoroquinolone drops won't help viral pink eye and unnecessary use contributes to resistance.
Gatifloxacin shares its brand history with an oral tablet version (also called Tequin) that was withdrawn from the US market in 2006 after being linked to serious blood sugar disturbances — a systemic effect tied to the oral formulation's blood levels, and not a concern with the eye drops, which is why the ophthalmic product remains available and unaffected by that withdrawal.
How Gatifloxacin works
Applied directly to the eye
A drop delivers gatifloxacin to the surface of the eye, achieving high local concentrations without meaningful absorption into the bloodstream.
Blocks bacterial DNA replication
Like other fluoroquinolones, it inhibits enzymes bacteria need to copy their DNA, stopping them from multiplying.
Clears the infection
Unable to replicate, the bacteria are cleared by the eye's own immune defenses as symptoms improve over several days.
Typical dosage forms & strengths
| Use | Typical adult dose | Form |
|---|---|---|
| Bacterial conjunctivitis (adults and children 1+) | 1 drop in the affected eye(s), per the prescribed schedule (typically several times daily, tapering over about a week) | 0.5% ophthalmic solution |
General reference dosing from the FDA label — not personalized advice. Your prescribed dose may differ based on your infection, kidney function, age, and weight. Always follow your prescriber's instructions.
Related & alternative drugs
Warnings & interactions
This is a summary of the official FDA label text, not personalized medical advice. It does not list every possible interaction or side effect. Always tell your prescriber and pharmacist about every medicine and supplement you take.
Common, usually mild
- Eye redness or irritation
- Itching or excessive tearing
- Blurred vision
- Unpleasant taste in the mouth
Serious — seek care promptly
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction (rash, facial swelling, difficulty breathing)
- Worsening eye pain, swelling, or discharge
- Persistent vision changes
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS ZYMAXID ® is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to gatifloxacin, to other quinolones, or to any of the components in this medication [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . ZYMAXID ® is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to gatifloxacin, to other quinolones, or to any of the components in this medication. ( 4 )
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no available data on the use of ZYMAXID ® in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk. Administration of oral gatifloxacin to pregnant rats and rabbits throughout organogenesis did not produce adverse development outcomes at clinically relevant doses. Administration of gatifloxacin to rats during late gestation through lactation did not produce adverse maternal, fetal or neonatal effects at clinically relevant doses.
Gatifloxacin, by the numbers
Additional public data points beyond retail pricing — useful context, not a price quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Gatifloxacin cost without insurance?
Is there a generic version of Gatifloxacin?
What drug class is Gatifloxacin in?
Learn more about Gatifloxacin
In-depth answers to common Gatifloxacin questions, fact-checked against the sources cited in each.
What exactly is gatifloxacin and what does it treat?
Gatifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone-class antibiotic designed specifically for eye infections. It treats bacterial conjunctivitis and other susceptible bacterial infections of the eye by inhibiting bacterial growth. The medication is approved for use in adults and children age 1 year and older. Gatifloxacin eye drops are only available as a 0.5% ophthalmic solution and should be used exactly as directed by your doctor.
What side effects can occur when using gatifloxacin?
Common side effects of gatifloxacin eye drops include eye redness, itching, and excessive tearing. Some patients also report blurred vision, mild eye pain, swollen eyelids, or discharge from the eye. Less frequent side effects include headache, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, and subconjunctival hemorrhage (small broken blood vessels on the white of the eye). Notify your doctor if any of these effects persist or worsen.
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Prices last checked 2026-08-21. Reviewed against FDA and DailyMed official sources — see our review process. Not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Angelica Balingit, M.D., Internal Medicine