Moxifloxacin (Oral)

Generic name: Moxifloxacin
Drug class: Quinolones and fluoroquinolones

Usage of Moxifloxacin (Oral)

Moxifloxacin is used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body. It is also used to treat and prevent plague (including pneumonic and septicemic plague).

Moxifloxacin belongs to the class of medicines known as quinolone antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Moxifloxacin (Oral) side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

Black, tarry stools

bleeding gums

blisters

bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet

blood in the urine or stools

blurred vision

bone pain

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

chest pain or tightness

chills

clay-colored stools

cough

crying

dark urine

deep or fast breathing with dizziness

diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody

difficult or labored breathing

difficulty with moving

difficulty with swallowing

discouragement

dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

dry mouth

excessive muscle tone

fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse

feeling of unreality

feeling of warmth or heat

feeling sad or empty

fever

fruit-like breath odor

headache

increased hunger

increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight

increased thirst

increased urination

irregular heartbeat, recurrent

irritability

itching, skin rash

joint pain, stiffness, or swelling

lack of coordination

loss of appetite

loss of interest or pleasure

lower back, side, or stomach pain

mood or mental changes

muscle cramps, pains, stiffness, tension, or tightness

nausea

nervousness

noisy breathing

numbness of the feet, hands, and around the mouth

pain in the pelvis

pain, warmth, or burning in the fingers, toes, and legs

painful or difficult urination

pale skin

pinpoint red spots on the skin

pounding in the ears

problems with speech or speaking

problems with vision or hearing

quick to react or overreact emotionally

rapid weight gain

rapidly changing moods

redness or other discoloration of the skin

restlessness

seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there

seizures

sensation of the skin burning

sense of detachment from self or body

severe sunburn

shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth

stomach cramps or tenderness

sweating

swelling of the feet or lower legs

swelling or puffiness of the face

swollen glands

thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor

tingling of the hands or feet

trouble concentrating

trouble sleeping

unexplained weight loss

unpleasant breath odor

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

vomiting

vomiting of blood

white patches in the mouth or on the tongue

yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin

burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations

change in the ability to see colors, especially blue or yellow

difficulty with chewing or talking

double vision

drooping eyelids

eye pain

general feeling of tiredness or weakness

hives

hoarseness

irregular or slow heart rate

large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals

light-colored stools

loss of consciousness

muscle weakness

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

red, irritated eyes

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

severe headache

severe tiredness

stomach pain, continuing

unsteadiness or awkwardness

unusual behavior, including disorientation to time or place, failure to recognize people, hyperactivity, or restlessness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Rare

Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste

belching

burning feeling in the chest or stomach

change in sense of smell

change in taste

changes in vision

continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears

difficulty having a bowel movement

excess air or gas in the stomach or bowels

fear or nervousness

feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

full feeling

general feeling of discomfort or illness

hearing loss

heartburn

impaired vision

indigestion

itching of the vagina or genital area

lack or loss of strength

loss of memory

pain during sexual intercourse

passing of gas

problems with memory

redness, swelling, or soreness of the tongue

sensation of spinning

sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

sore mouth or tongue

stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Moxifloxacin (Oral)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of moxifloxacin in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of moxifloxacin in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related heart or kidney problems, or develop severe tendon problems (including tendon rupture), which may require caution in patients receiving moxifloxacin.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Bepridil

Cisapride

Dronedarone

Levoketoconazole

Mesoridazine

Pimozide

Piperaquine

Sparfloxacin

Terfenadine

Thioridazine

Ziprasidone

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Acarbose

Adagrasib

Albiglutide

Alfuzosin

Alogliptin

Amiodarone

Amisulpride

Amitriptyline

Anagrelide

Apomorphine

Aripiprazole

Aripiprazole Lauroxil

Arsenic Trioxide

Asenapine

Astemizole

Atazanavir

Azithromycin

Bedaquiline

Betamethasone

Budesonide

Buprenorphine

Bupropion

Buserelin

Canagliflozin

Ceritinib

Chloroquine

Chlorpromazine

Chlorpropamide

Cholera Vaccine, Live

Ciprofloxacin

Citalopram

Clarithromycin

Clofazimine

Clomipramine

Clothiapine

Clozapine

Corticotropin

Cortisone

Cosyntropin

Crizotinib

Cyclobenzaprine

Dabrafenib

Dapagliflozin

Dasatinib

Deflazacort

Degarelix

Delamanid

Desipramine

Deslorelin

Deutetrabenazine

Dexamethasone

Dexmedetomidine

Disopyramide

Dofetilide

Dolasetron

Domperidone

Donepezil

Doxepin

Droperidol

Dulaglutide

Ebastine

Efavirenz

Empagliflozin

Encorafenib

Entrectinib

Eribulin

Ertugliflozin

Erythromycin

Escitalopram

Etrasimod

Exenatide

Famotidine

Felbamate

Fexinidazole

Fingolimod

Flecainide

Fluconazole

Fludrocortisone

Fluocortolone

Fluoxetine

Formoterol

Foscarnet

Fosphenytoin

Fostemsavir

Galantamine

Gatifloxacin

Gemifloxacin

Gepirone

Glasdegib

Glimepiride

Glipizide

Glyburide

Gonadorelin

Goserelin

Granisetron

Halofantrine

Haloperidol

Histrelin

Hydrocortisone

Hydroquinidine

Hydroxychloroquine

Hydroxyzine

Ibutilide

Iloperidone

Imipramine

Inotuzumab Ozogamicin

Insulin

Insulin Aspart, Recombinant

Insulin Bovine

Insulin Degludec

Insulin Detemir

Insulin Glulisine

Insulin Lispro, Recombinant

Itraconazole

Ivabradine

Ivosidenib

Ketoconazole

Lapatinib

Lefamulin

Lenvatinib

Leuprolide

Levofloxacin

Linagliptin

Liraglutide

Lixisenatide

Lofexidine

Lumefantrine

Macimorelin

Magnesium Sulfate

Mefloquine

Metformin

Methadone

Methotrexate

Methylprednisolone

Metronidazole

Mifepristone

Miglitol

Mirtazapine

Mizolastine

Mobocertinib

Nafarelin

Nateglinide

Nelfinavir

Nilotinib

Norfloxacin

Octreotide

Ofloxacin

Olanzapine

Ondansetron

Osilodrostat

Osimertinib

Oxaliplatin

Ozanimod

Pacritinib

Paliperidone

Panobinostat

Paroxetine

Pasireotide

Pazopanib

Pentamidine

Perphenazine

Phenobarbital

Pimavanserin

Pioglitazone

Pipamperone

Pitolisant

Ponesimod

Porfimer

Posaconazole

Pramlintide

Prednisolone

Prednisone

Primidone

Probucol

Procainamide

Prochlorperazine

Promethazine

Propafenone

Protriptyline

Quetiapine

Quinidine

Quinine

Quizartinib

Ranolazine

Rasagiline

Relugolix

Repaglinide

Ribociclib

Rilpivirine

Risperidone

Ritonavir

Rosiglitazone

Saxagliptin

Selpercatinib

Semaglutide

Sertindole

Sertraline

Sevoflurane

Siponimod

Sitagliptin

Sodium Phosphate

Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic

Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic

Solifenacin

Sorafenib

Sotalol

Sulpiride

Sunitinib

Tacrolimus

Tamoxifen

Telaprevir

Telavancin

Telithromycin

Tetrabenazine

Tolazamide

Tolbutamide

Tolterodine

Toremifene

Trazodone

Triamcinolone

Triclabendazole

Trimipramine

Triptorelin

Vandetanib

Vardenafil

Vemurafenib

Venlafaxine

Vilanterol

Vinflunine

Voclosporin

Voglibose

Voriconazole

Vorinostat

Warfarin

Zuclopenthixol

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Aluminum Carbonate, Basic

Aluminum Hydroxide

Aluminum Phosphate

Aminolevulinic Acid

Didanosine

Dihydroxyaluminum Aminoacetate

Dihydroxyaluminum Sodium Carbonate

Iron

Lanthanum Carbonate

Magaldrate

Magnesium Carbonate

Magnesium Hydroxide

Magnesium Oxide

Magnesium Trisilicate

Rifampin

Sucralfate

Zinc

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Relate drugs

How to use Moxifloxacin (Oral)

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not split, crush or chew it. This medicine may be taken with or without food.

Take this medicine at the same time each day.

Drink plenty of fluids with this medicine to help prevent some unwanted effects.

If you are taking aluminum or magnesium-containing antacids, iron supplements, multivitamins, didanosine (Videx®), sucralfate (Carafate®), or zinc, do not take them at the same time that you take this medicine. It is best to take these medicines at least 4 hours before or 8 hours after taking moxifloxacin. These medicines may keep moxifloxacin from working properly.

Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For oral dosage form (tablets):

For infections:

Adults—400 milligrams (mg) once every 24 hours.

Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

If you miss a dose and it is 8 hours or more until your next dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible, and then go back to your regular schedule. If you miss a dose and it is less than 8 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses of this medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Warnings

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests are needed to check for any unwanted effects.

If you have low potassium levels in the blood, moxifloxacin may increase your risk of having a fast, slow or irregular heartbeat, loss of consciousness, or fainting spells. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have itching, hives, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after you take this medicine.

Serious side effects can occur during treatment with this medicine and can sometimes occur without warning. Possible warning signs include black, tarry stools, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, bloody or cloudy urine, chills, decreased urination, diarrhea, fever, joint or muscle pain, red skin lesions, often with a purple center, sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips, severe stomach pain, skin rash, swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, unusual bleeding or bruising, unusual weight gain, or yellow skin or eyes. Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any of these warning signs.

Moxifloxacin may lower the number of some types of blood cells in your body. Because of this, you may bleed or get infections more easily. To help with these problems, avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Wash your hands often. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers.

Moxifloxacin may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. It may occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without checking first with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer. If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

Tell your doctor right away if you start having numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet. These may be symptoms of a condition called peripheral neuropathy.

Moxifloxacin may rarely cause inflammation (tendinitis) or tearing of a tendon (the cord that attaches muscles to bones). This can occur while you are taking the medicine or after you finish taking it. The risk of having tendon problems may be increased if you are over 60 years of age, are using steroid medicines (eg, dexamethasone, prednisolone, prednisone, or Medrol®), have severe kidney problems, have a history of tendon problems (eg, rheumatoid arthritis), or if you have received an organ transplant (eg, heart, kidney, or lung). Check with your doctor right away if you have sudden pain or swelling in a tendon after exercise (eg, ankle, back of the knee or leg, shoulder, elbow, or wrist), bruise more easily after an injury, or are unable to bear weight or move the affected area. Refrain from exercise until your doctor says otherwise.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while using this medicine: convulsions (seizures), feeling anxious, confused, or depressed, seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there, severe headache, trouble sleeping, or unusual thoughts or behaviors.

This medicine may increase your risk for aortic aneurysm (bulge in the wall of the largest artery). Check with your doctor right away if you have sudden chest, stomach, or back pain, trouble breathing, cough, or hoarseness.

Moxifloxacin may cause some people to become dizzy, lightheaded, drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. If these reactions are especially bothersome, check with your doctor.

Some people who take moxifloxacin may become more sensitive to sunlight than normal. Exposure to sunlight, even for brief periods of time, may cause severe sunburn, or skin rash, redness, itching, or discoloration. When you begin using this medicine:

Stay out of direct sunlight, especially between the hours of 10 AM and 3 PM, if possible.

Wear protective clothing, including a hat and sunglasses.

Apply a sun block product that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Some people may require a product with a higher SPF number, especially if they have a fair complexion. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed or booth.

If you have a severe reaction from the sun, check with your doctor right away.

For diabetic patients: This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests or if you have any questions, check with your doctor.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.