Drug Notes

Moxifloxacin (By injection)

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

Treats infections. This medicine is a quinolone antibiotic.

Brand Name(s):

Avelox I.V.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
• Your doctor may give you a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves and then switch you to an oral medicine that works the same way.

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:
  • Arsenic, cisapride, erythromycin
  • Blood thinner (including warfarin)
  • Insulin or other diabetes medicines
  • Medicine for depression or mental illness
  • Medicine for heart rhythm problems (including amiodarone, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol)
  • NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (including aspirin, celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen)
  • Steroid medicine (including hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisone)

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, or a history of heart rhythm problems (such as prolonged QT interval) or seizures. 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)
  • Heart rhythm changes
  • Nerve damage in the arms or legs
  • Changes in blood sugar levels
• 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.
• 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.
• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

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
• Chest pain, fast or uneven heartbeat
• 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
• Shaking, trembling, sweating, fast or pounding heartbeat, faintness or lightheadedness, hunger, confusion
• Yellow skin or eyes

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

• Mild diarrhea or nausea
• Pain, swelling, or redness where the needle is placed

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

Last Updated: 1/27/2017