Moxifloxacin (mox-i-FLOX-a-sin)

Treats infections and plague (including pneumonic and septicemic plague). This medicine is a quinolone antibiotic.

Brand Name(s):

Avelox

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed. Take this medicine at the same time each day.
• Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not split, crush, or chew it.
• Drink plenty of fluids while you are being treated with this medicine.
• Take all of the medicine in your prescription to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
• Missed dose: 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.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how moxifloxacin works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Cisapride, erythromycin
  • Blood thinner (including warfarin)
  • Insulin or oral diabetes medicines
  • Medicine for depression or mental illness (including TCAs)
  • Medicine for heart rhythm problems (including amiodarone, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol)
  • NSAIDs (including diclofenac, ibuprofen)
  • Steroid medicine
• Take moxifloxacin at least 4 hours before or 8 hours after you take didanosine buffered tablets for oral suspension or the pediatric powder for oral suspension, sucralfate, or antacids, multivitamins, or other products containing aluminum, magnesium, iron, or zinc.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, heart disease, myasthenia gravis, brain problems, aortic aneurysm (bulge in the wall of the largest artery), or a history of heart rhythm problems (including prolonged QT interval), seizures, or mental illness. Tell your doctor if you have ever had tendon or joint problems, including rheumatoid arthritis, or if you have received a transplant.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Tendinitis and tendon rupture (may happen after treatment ends)
  • Nerve damage in the arms or legs, which may become permanent
  • Changes in mood or behavior, seizures, or increased pressure in the head
  • Serious skin reactions
  • Kidney problems
  • Liver problems
  • Increased risk of aortic aneurysm
  • Heart rhythm changes
  • Changes in blood sugar levels
• This medicine may make you dizzy or lightheaded. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.
• This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine.
• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.
• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
• Change in how much or how often you urinate, cloudy or bloody urine
• Chest pain, fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat
• Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
• Diarrhea that may contain blood
• Fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness
• Numbness, tingling, weakness, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
• Pain, stiffness, swelling, or bruises around your ankle, leg, shoulder, or other joints
• Seizures, severe headache, unusual thoughts or behaviors, trouble sleeping, feeling anxious, confused, or depressed, seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• Sensitivity of the skin to sunlight, redness or other discoloration of the skin, severe sunburn
• Shaking, trembling, sweating, hunger, confusion
• Sudden chest, stomach, or back pain, trouble breathing, cough
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Mild diarrhea or nausea

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

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