What is 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 should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking 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;
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myasthenia gravis;
-
joint problems;
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kidney or liver disease, cirrhosis;
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epilepsy or a history of seizures;
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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.
How should I take 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 miss a dose of 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.
Where can I get more information about moxifloxacin?
Your pharmacist has information about moxifloxacin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of 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:
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dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat;
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sudden pain or swelling near your joints (especially in your
arm or ankle);
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diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
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confusion, hallucinations, depression, unusual thoughts or
behavior;
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seizure (convulsions);
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pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, weakness;
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urinating less than usual or not at all;
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easy bruising or bleeding;
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numbness, tingling, or unusual pain anywhere in your body;
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fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering,
peeling, and red skin rash; or
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the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild.
Less serious side effects may include:
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nausea, vomiting;
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drowsiness;
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blurred vision;
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feeling nervous, anxious, or agitated;
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sleep problems (insomnia or nightmares); or
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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.
What is the most important information I should know about 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 avoid while taking 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.
What other drugs will affect 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
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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 happens if I have an overdose of moxifloxacin?
