Moxifloxacin Oral Tablet

This drug comes as a tablet you take by mouth and as an ophthalmic solution (eye drop). It’s also available as an intravenous (IV) drug, which is only given by a healthcare provider.

Moxifloxacin is used to treat bacterial infections. It won’t work to treat a viral infection, such as the common cold.

Moxifloxacin oral tablet is available as the brand-name drug Avelox. It’s also available as a generic drug.

Common side effects of this drug include nausea, diarrhea, and headache.

In some cases, moxifloxacin may cause serious side effects. These include kidney failure, liver failure, seizures, and a life-threatening skin rash called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• FDA warning See Details

• Diarrhea See Details

• Finish taking your medication See Details

What is moxifloxacin ?

Moxifloxacin is a prescription drug. It’s available as an oral tablet and an ophthalmic solution. It’s also available as an intravenous (IV) drug, which is only given by a healthcare provider.

Moxifloxacin is available as the brand-name drug Avelox. It’s also available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name version.

Why it's used

Moxifloxacin is used to treat bacterial infections, including:

• throat, sinus, and lung infections
• community-acquired pneumonia
• skin infections
• stomach infections

How it works

Moxifloxacin belongs to a class of drugs called fluoroquinolones. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

This drug works by stopping a bacteria’s ability to copy their DNA. This action kills bacteria and stops them from reproducing. This treats your infection.

More Common Side Effects

Some of the more common side effects of moxifloxacin include:

• nausea

• diarrhea

• headache

• vomiting

• dizziness

• nervousness

• agitation

• nightmares

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious Side Effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 9-1-1 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

• Liver failure. Symptoms include:

  • yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
  • pain in the upper right part of your abdomen
  • nausea and vomiting

• Steven-Johnson’s syndrome. This is a serious, life-threatening skin rash. Symptoms include:

  • fever
  • rash
  • sores in or around your mouth, nose, eyes, or genitals
  • peeling skin

• Kidney failure. Symptoms include:

  • making less urine than normal
  • swelling of your feet, legs, and arms
  • chest pain or pressure

• Seizures

• Peripheral neuropathy. Symptoms typically start in your hands and feet and spread to your arms and legs. Symptoms include:

  • tingling
  • burning
  • pain
  • numbness
  • weakness
  • sensitivity to touch

• Severe diarrhea. These symptoms will last after you stop taking the drug.  Symptoms include:

  • watery or bloody diarrhea
  • stomach cramping
  • fever
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea

• Heart rhythm problems such as torsades de pointes (irregular heart rhythm). This drug can change your heartbeat in a way that puts you at risk for a life-threatening, irregular heart rhythm. Symptoms can include:

  • palpitations (feeling like your heart is skipping a beat)
  • fast, irregular heart beat
  • dizziness
  • fainting
  • seizures

• Tendon rupture. Your Achilles tendon is the most likely to rupture. Symptoms of an Achilles tendon rupture include:

  • sudden, severe pain
  • swelling
  • redness and warmth around the area
  • trouble walking
  • not being able to stand on your tiptoes in the injured foot

• Joint and muscle pain

• Increased sensitivity to the sun. Symptoms can include sunburn of the skin

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Moxifloxacin can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. 

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Medications that might interact with this drug

Interactions that increase your risk of side effects

• Side effects from moxifloxacin. Taking moxifloxacin with certain medications raises your risk of side effects from moxifloxacin. Examples of these drugs include:
  • Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, prednisolone, and dexamethasone. Using these drugs with moxifloxacin can increase your risk of tendon rupture.
  • Antipsychotic drugs, such as chlorpromazine, haloperidol, and ziprasidone. Using these drugs with moxifloxacin can increase your risk of a life-threatening, irregular heart rhythm called torsades de pointes.
• Side effects from other drugs: Taking moxifloxacin with certain medications raises your risk of side effects from these drugs. Examples of these drugs include:
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac. Taking moxifloxacin with NSAIDs can increase your risk of convulsions (violent, involuntary movements).
  • Heart rhythm drugs, such as sotalol, amiodarone, and dofetilide. Taking moxifloxacin with these drugs can increase your risk of heart rate problems, including torsades de pointes. This is a life-threatening, irregular heart rhythm.
  • Warfarin. Moxifloxacin can increase the amount of warfarin in your body. This can cause side effects, such as bleeding.

Interactions that can make your drugs less effective

• When moxifloxacin is less effective: When moxifloxacin is used with certain drugs, it may not work as well to treat your condition. This is because the amount of moxifloxacin in your body may be decreased. Examples of these drugs include:
  • Antacids, sucralfate, didanosine, multivitamins, and iron, zinc, or magnesium supplements. You should take moxifloxacin at least 4 hours before taking these drugs or 8 hours after taking these drugs.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking. Moxifloxacin warnings

People with heart conditions

This drug can change your heart rhythm. If you have QT prolongation, you shouldn’t take this medication.

People with diabetes

This drug can change your blood glucose (sugar) levels. You and your doctor should monitor you blood sugar levels carefully while you take this medication.

People with myasthenia gravis

If you have myasthenia gravis, this drug may make your muscle weakness worse. You shouldn’t take this medication if you have this condition.

People with seizures

This drug can cause seizures. If you have a history of seizures, ask your doctor if this drug is safe for you.

People with liver problems

If you have a history of liver problems, you are at higher risk for a life-threatening, irregular heart rhythm called torsades de pointes.  Your doctor will monitor you more closely during your treatment with this drug.

Pregnant women

Moxifloxacin is a category C pregnancy drug. That means two things:

1. Research in animals has shown adverse effects to the fetus when the mother takes the drug.
2. There haven’t been enough studies done in humans to be certain how the drug might affect the fetus.

Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This drug should be used only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. 

Women who are breast-feeding

Moxifloxacin may pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed.

Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your baby. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication.

For seniors

If you’re older than 65 years, you may be at higher risk of heart rhythm problems and tendon rupture. If you have diabetes, you may also have a higher risk for blood sugar changes.

For children

This medication hasn’t been studied in children. It shouldn’t be used in people younger than 18 years.

Allergies

Moxifloxacin can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include: 

• trouble breathing
• loss of consciousness (blacking out)
• swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat
• hives
• rash
• sores in or around your mouth, nose, eyes, or genitals
• peeling skin 

Call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room if you develop these symptoms. 

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:

• your age
• the condition being treated
• how severe your condition is
• other medical conditions you have
• how you react to the first dose

What are you taking this medication for?

Throat, sinus, and lung infections

Generic: moxifloxacin

Form: Oral tablet Strengths: 400 mg

Brand: Avelox

Form: Oral tablet Strengths: 400 mg Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

Typical starting dose: One 400 mg tablet taken once per day. The length of treatment is usually 5–21 days depending on the condition being treated.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

It hasn’t been confirmed that this drug is safe and effective for use in people younger than 18 years.

Community-acquired pneumonia

Generic: moxifloxacin

Form: Oral tablet Strengths: 400 mg

Brand: Avelox

Form: Oral tablet Strengths: 400 mg Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

Typical starting dose: One 400 mg tablet taken once per day. The length of treatment is usually 5–21 days depending on the condition being treated.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

It hasn’t been confirmed that this drug is safe and effective for use in people younger than 18 years.

Skin infections

Generic: moxifloxacin

Form: Oral tablet Strengths: 400 mg

Brand: Avelox

Form: Oral tablet Strengths: 400 mg Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

Typical starting dose: One 400 mg tablet taken once per day. The length of treatment is usually 5–21 days depending on the condition being treated.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

It hasn’t been confirmed that this drug is safe and effective for use in people younger than 18 years.

Stomach infections

Generic: moxifloxacin

Form: Oral tablet Strengths: 400 mg

Brand: Avelox

Form: Oral tablet Strengths: 400 mg Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

Typical starting dose: One 400 mg tablet taken once per day. The length of treatment is usually 5–21 days depending on the condition being treated.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

It hasn’t been confirmed that this drug is safe and effective for use in people younger than 18 years.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you. Important considerations for taking moxifloxacin

You can take this drug with or without food. Taking it with food may help to reduce upset stomach

Take this drug at the time(s) recommended by your doctor

Don’t cut or crush the tablet

Store this drug carefully

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A prescription for this medication may be refillable

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Travel

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Clinical monitoring

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Your diet

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Sun sensitivity

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Are there any alternatives?