What is Avelox (Moxifloxacin)?

Moxifloxacin is an antibiotic in a group of drugs called fluoroquinolones (flor-o-KWIN-o-lones). Moxifloxacin fights bacteria in the body.

Moxifloxacin is used to treat different types of bacterial infections.

Moxifloxacin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Avelox (Moxifloxacin)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to moxifloxacin or similar antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), ofloxacin (Floxin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), and others.

Before taking moxifloxacin, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, myasthenia gravis, joint problems, diabetes, a history of seizures, low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia), or a personal or family history of “Long QT syndrome.”

Avoid taking antacids, vitamin or mineral supplements, sucralfate (Carafate), or didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets within 8 hours before or 4 hours after you take moxifloxacin. These other medicines can make moxifloxacin much less effective when taken at the same time.

Taking moxifloxacin can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Avoid exposure to sunlight, sun lamps, or tanning beds.

Moxifloxacin may cause swelling or tearing of a tendon (the fiber that connects bones to muscles in the body), especially in the Achilles’ tendon of the heel. These effects may be more likely to occur if you are over 60, if you take an oral steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant. Stop taking moxifloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints. Rest the joint until you receive medical care or instructions.

Do not share this medication with another person (especially a child), even if they have the same symptoms you do.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Avelox (Moxifloxacin)?

Do not use moxifloxacin if you are allergic to moxifloxacin or similar medications such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), ofloxacin (Floxin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), and others.

Before taking moxifloxacin, 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).

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before you take moxifloxacin, tell your doctor if you have:

• a history of allergic reaction to an antibiotic
• myasthenia gravis
• joint problems
• kidney or liver disease, cirrhosis
• epilepsy or a history of seizures
• diabetes
• low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia); or
• a personal or family history of “Long QT syndrome.”

FDA pregnancy category C: It is not known whether moxifloxacin is harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use moxifloxacin without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Moxifloxacin passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Moxifloxacin may cause swelling or tearing of a tendon (the fiber that connects bones to muscles in the body), especially in the Achilles’ tendon of the heel. These effects may be more likely to occur if you are over 60, if you take an oral steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant. Stop taking moxifloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints. Rest the joint until you receive medical care or instructions.

Do not share this medication with another person (especially a child), even if they have the same symptoms you do.

Avelox Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Avelox (Moxifloxacin)?

Stop using moxifloxacin and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using moxifloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat
• sudden pain or swelling near your joints (especially in your arm or ankle)
• diarrhea that is watery or bloody
• confusion, hallucinations, depression, unusual thoughts or behavior
• seizure (convulsions)
• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, weakness
• urinating less than usual or not at all
• easy bruising or bleeding
• numbness, tingling, or unusual pain anywhere in your body
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; or
• the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild

Less serious side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting
• drowsiness
• blurred vision
• feeling nervous, anxious, or agitated
• sleep problems (insomnia or nightmares); or
• mild skin itching

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Avelox Interactions

What other drugs affect Avelox (Moxifloxacin)?

Before taking moxifloxacin, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

• insulin or diabetes medication you take by mouth, such as glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta, Glynase)
• a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), etodolac (Lodine), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), meloxicam (Mobic), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), piroxicam (Feldene), and others; or
• an oral steroid medication such as betamethasone (Celestone), dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexpak), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Orapred), prednisone (Meticorten, Sterapred), and others

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with moxifloxacin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Avelox (Moxifloxacin)?

You may be taking certain other medicines that should not be taken at the same time as moxifloxacin. Avoid taking the following medicines within 8 hours before or 4 hours after you take moxifloxacin. These other medicines can make moxifloxacin much less effective when taken at the same time:

• antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (such as Maalox, Mylanta, or Rolaids)
• the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate)
• didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets; or
• vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc

Avoid exposure to sunlight, sunlamps, or tanning beds. Moxifloxacin can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, and a sunburn may result. Wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen (SPF-15 or higher) if you must be out in the sun. Call your doctor if you have severe burning, redness, itching, rash, or swelling after being in the sun.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

Moxifloxacin can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avelox Dosage

How should I take Avelox (Moxifloxacin)?

Take moxifloxacin exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take moxifloxacin with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Drink several extra glasses of fluid each day while you are taking moxifloxacin.

Moxifloxacin may be taken with or without food, but take it at the same time each day.

Take this medication for as many days as it has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Moxifloxacin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Store moxifloxacin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I overdose on Avelox (Moxifloxacin)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include tremors, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures (convulsions).

What happens if I miss a dose of Avelox (Moxifloxacin)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Edited from everydayhealth.com