avelox

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

Avelox is used to treat different types of bacterial infections of the skin, sinuses, lungs, or stomach. It is also used to treat and prevent plague.

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

Important information

You may not be able to use Avelox if you have a muscle disorder. Tell your doctor if you have a history of myasthenia gravis.

Avelox 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.

Stop taking Avelox and call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints, especially in your ankle. Rest the joint until you receive medical care or instructions.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Avelox if you are allergic to moxifloxacin or other fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, gemifloxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin, and others).

You may not be able to use Avelox if you have a muscle disorder. Tell your doctor if you have a history of myasthenia gravis.

To make sure Avelox is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• a heart rhythm disorder, especially if you take medication to treat it;

• a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome;

• tendon problems, arthritis or other joint problems;

• a muscle or nerve disorder;

• liver or kidney disease;

• diabetes;

• seizures or epilepsy;

• low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia);

• a history of head injury or brain tumor;

• a history of allergic reaction to an antibiotic; or

• if you use a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin) and have "INR" or prothrombin time tests.

Avelox 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. This can happen during treatment or up to several months after you stop taking Avelox. Tendon problems may be more likely to occur if you are over 60, if you take steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant.

It is not known whether Avelox will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

It is not known whether moxifloxacin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

How should I take Avelox?

Take Avelox exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Take Avelox at the same time each day with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Drink several extra glasses of fluid each day while you are taking Avelox.

Avelox may be taken with or without food.

Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Avelox will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

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

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Avelox dosing information

Usual Adult Dose of Avelox for Bronchitis:

Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis: 400 mg orally or IV every 24 hours for 5 days

Usual Adult Dose for Intraabdominal Infection:

Complicated: 400 mg orally or IV every 24 hours for 5 to 14 days

Usual Adult Dose for Pneumonia:

Community-acquired pneumonia: 400 mg orally or IV every 24 hours for 7 to 14 days

Usual Adult Dose of Avelox for Sinusitis:

Acute bacterial sinusitis: 400 mg orally or IV every 24 hours for 10 days

Usual Adult Dose for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection:

400 mg orally or IV every 24 hours
Duration: 7 to 21 days for complicated infections; 7 days for uncomplicated infections

Usual Adult Dose for Skin and Structure Infection:

400 mg orally or IV every 24 hours
Duration: 7 to 21 days for complicated infections; 7 days for uncomplicated infections

Usual Adult Dose for Inhalation Bacillus anthracis:

(Not approved by FDA)

Mass casualty treatment or prophylaxis of inhalational anthrax: 400 mg orally once a day for 60 days

The Working Group on Civilian Biodefense has suggested that, based on in vitro studies, moxifloxacin could be used for postexposure prophylaxis or treatment of inhalational anthrax if ciprofloxacin and doxycycline are not available.

Usual Adult Dose of Avelox for Anthrax Prophylaxis:

(Not approved by FDA)

Mass casualty treatment or prophylaxis of inhalational anthrax: 400 mg orally once a day for 60 days

The Working Group on Civilian Biodefense has suggested that, based on in vitro studies, moxifloxacin could be used for postexposure prophylaxis or treatment of inhalational anthrax if ciprofloxacin and doxycycline are not available.

Usual Adult Dose for Tuberculosis -- Active:

(Not approved by FDA)

400 mg orally or IV once a day

This regimen has been recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and American Thoracic Society.

May be given in combination with at least 3 other active drugs for treatment of multi-drug resistant TB, or when the patient is intolerant of first-line agents. AFB smear and culture should be monitored monthly.

Duration: Treatment for TB should generally continue for 18 to 24 months, or for 12 to 18 months after culture results are negative.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking Avelox?

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

• antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (such as Maalox, Mylanta, or Rolaids), or the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate);

• didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets; or

• vitamin or mineral supplements that contain aluminum, iron, magnesium, or zinc.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Avelox can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors. 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 bloody, stop taking Avelox and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Avelox may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Avelox side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Avelox: hives, or the first sign of a skin rash; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Avelox may cause swelling or tearing of (rupture) a tendon, especially in your ankle. Avelox can also have serious effects on your nerves, and may cause permanent nerve damage. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• signs of tendon rupture - sudden pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, stiffness, movement problems, or a snapping or popping sound in any of your joints (rest the joint until you receive medical care or instructions); or

• nerve symptoms - numbness, tingling, burning pain, or being more sensitive to temperature, light touch, or the sense of your body position.

Stop using Avelox and call your doctor at once if you have:

• headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats;

• muscle weakness or trouble breathing;

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

• the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;

• sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, easy bruising or bleeding, pale or yellowed skin;

• depression, confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, tremors, feeling restless or anxious, insomnia, nightmares, thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself;

• seizure (convulsions);

• high blood sugar - increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, weight loss;

• low blood sugar - headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, or feeling jittery; or

• increased pressure inside the skull - severe headaches, ringing in your ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, pain behind your eyes.

Common Avelox side effects may include:

• nausea, diarrhea;

• dizziness; or

• headache.

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.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Avelox?

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Avelox, especially:

• erythromycin;

• a diuretic or "water pill";

• insulin or oral diabetes medicine;

• a blood thinner - warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven;

• heart rhythm medication - amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, dronedarone, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol, and others;

• medicine to treat depression or mental illness - amitriptylline, clomipramine, desipramine, iloperidone, imipramine, nortriptyline, and others;

• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) - aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others; or

• steroid medicine - prednisone, dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with moxifloxacin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.