 is a prescription antibiotic used to treat infections in adults caused by bacteria including pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, and skin infections.Avelox belongs to a group of drugs called fluoroquinolones, which helps to kill bacteria in the body by inhibiting a bacterial enzyme called DNA-gyrase. This medication comes in tablet and injectable forms. The tablet is usually taken once a day, for 7 to 14 days. It may be taken with or... "Pin It")
Avelox Overview
Avelox (generic:moxifloxacin) is a prescription antibiotic used to treat infections in adults caused by bacteria including pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, and skin infections.
Uses of Avelox
Avelox is a prescription antibiotic used to treat adults with infections caused by a variety of bacteria. This medicine has been used to treat pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus, skin and abdominal (stomach area) infections.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Side Effects of Avelox
Avelox can cause side effects that may be serious or even cause death.
Seizures have been reported in people who take fluoroquinolone antibiotics including Avelox.
Serious allergic reactions allergic reactions can happen in people taking Avelox. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction:
- Hives
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, face
- Throat tightness, hoarseness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Faint
- Rash
Serious heart rhythm changes (QT prolongation and torsade de pointes) may occur with Avelox use.
- Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have a change in your heart beat (a fast or irregular heartbeat) like if your heart is racing or if you feel faint.
- This condition can cause an abnormal heartbeat and can be very dangerous.
The chances of this event are higher in people:
- Who are elderly
- With a family history of prolonged QT interval
- With low blood potassium (hypokalemia)
- Who take certain medicines to control heart rhythm (antiarrhythmics)
The most common side effects of Avelox include nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness.
This is not a complete list of Avelox side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Avelox Interactions
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal and dietary supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:
- A blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven)
- A medicine to control your heart rate or rhythm (antiarrhythmic)
- An anti-psychotic medicine(Thorazine)
- Certain Medicines used to treat depression callled tricyclic qntidepressants(Elavil, Doxepin)
- Erythromycin
- A water pill (diuretic)
- A steroid medicine. Corticosteroids taken by mouth or by injection may increase the chance of tendon injury.
Take Avelox either 4 hours before or 8 hours after taking these products:
- An antacid, multivitamin, or other product that has magnesium, aluminum, iron, or zinc
- Sucralfate (Carafate)
- Didanosine (Videx, Videx EC) Ask your doctor if you are not sure if any of your medicines are listed above. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
This is not a complete list of Avelox drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Avelox Precautions
Avelox belongs to a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. Avelox can cause side effects that may be serious or even cause death. If you get any of the following serious side effects, get medical help right away.
- Pain, swelling, tears and inflammation of tendons including the back of the ankle (Achilles), shoulder, hand, or other tendinitis.
- Worsening of myasthenia gravis (a disease which causes muscle weakness), worsening muscle weakness or breathing problems.
Do not take Avelox if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to an antibiotic known as a fluoroquinolone (Cipro, Levaquin), or if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in Avelox. Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure.
Avelox can make you feel dizzy and lightheaded. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do other activities that require mental alertness or coordination until you know how Avelox affects you.
Avoid sunlamps, tanning beds, and try to limit your time in the sun. Avelox can make your skin sensitive to the sun (photosensitivity) and the light from sunlamps and tanning beds. You could get severe sunburn, blisters or swelling of your skin. You should use a sunscreen and wear a hat and clothes that cover your skin if you have to be in sunlight.
Avelox Food Interactions
Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Avelox there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving Avelox.
Inform MD
Before receiving Avelox, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you:
- Have tendon problems
- Have a disease that causes muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis)
- Have nerve problems
- Have (or anyone in your family) has an irregular heartbeat, especially a condition called “QT prolongation”
- Have low blood potassium
- Have a slow heartbeat
- Have a history of seizures, or epilepsy
- Have kidney problems
- Have rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or other history of joint problems
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription or non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Avelox and Pregnancy
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant. It is not known if Avelox will harm your unborn child.
Avelox and Lactation
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Avelox passes into breast mild or if it will harm your baby.
Avelox Usage
Avelox comes as a tablet to be taken with or without food. Drink plenty of liquids while taking Avelox. Take Avelox once a day exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Take Avelox at about the same time each day. Do not skip any doses, or stop taking Avelox even if you begin to feel better, until you finish your prescribed treatment. If you miss a dose of Avelox, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take more than 1 dose of Avelox in one day.
Avelox Dosage
Take Avelox exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The usual recommended dose of Avelox is 400 mg taken by mouth once daily for 7 to 14 days (depending on the type of infection you have).
Avelox Overdose
If you think you have taken too much Avelox contact your doctor or your local Poison Control Center right away.
Forms of Avelox
Avelox is available in 400 mg tablets.
Avelox Tablets:
Active ingredient: moxifloxacin hydrochloride
Inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol, and ferric oxide
Avelox IV:
Active ingredient: moxifloxacin hydrochloride
Inactive ingredients: sodium chloride, USP, water for injection, USP, and may include hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide for pH adjustment
Other Requirements
Store Avelox at room temperature. Keep Avelox away from moisture (humidity).
Keep Avelox and all medicines out of the reach of children.
Avelox FDA Warning
WARNING: TEDINOPATHY
Fluoroquinolones, including Avelox, are associated with an increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture in all ages. This risk is further increased in older patients usually over 60 years of age, in patients taking corticosteroid drugs, and in patients with kidney, heart or lung transplants.
Fluoroquinolones, including Avelox, may exacerbate muscle weakness in persons with myasthenia gravis. Avoid Avelox in patients with known history of myasthenia gravis.
