Brand Name(s):

  • Avelox®I.V.

IMPORTANT WARNING

Using moxifloxacin injection increases the risk that you will develop tendinitis (swelling of fibrous tissue that connects a bone to a muscle) or have a tendon rupture (tearing of fibrous tissue that connects a bone to a muscle) during your treatment or for up to several months afterward. These problems may affect tendons in your shoulder, your hand, the back of your ankle, or in other parts of your body. Tendinitis or tendon rupture may happen to people of any age, but the risk is highest in people over 60 years of age. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant; kidney disease; a joint or tendon disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis (a condition in which the body attacks its own joints, causing pain, swelling, and loss of function); or if you participate in regular physical activity. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking oral or injectable steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexpak), methylprednisolone (Medrol), or prednisone (Sterapred). If you experience any of the following symptoms of tendinitis, stop using moxifloxacin injection, rest, and call your doctor immediately: pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or difficulty in moving a muscle. If you experience any of the following symptoms of tendon rupture, stop using moxifloxacin injection and get emergency medical treatment: hearing or feeling a snap or pop in a tendon area, bruising after an injury to a tendon area, or inability to move or to bear weight on an affected area.

Using moxifloxacin injection may worsen muscle weakness in people with myasthenia gravis (a disorder of the nervous system that causes muscle weakness) and cause severe difficulty breathing or death. Tell your doctor if you have myasthenia gravis. Your doctor may tell you not to use moxifloxacin injection. If you have myasthenia gravis and your doctor tells you that you should use moxifloxacin injection, call your doctor immediately if you experience muscle weakness or difficulty breathing during your treatment.

Talk to your doctor about the risks of using moxifloxacin injection.

Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer's patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with moxifloxacin injection. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website ( Web Site) or check the manufacturer's website to obtain the Medication Guide.

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

Moxifloxacin injection is used to treat certain infections such as pneumonia; bronchitis; and sinus, skin, and abdominal (stomach area) infections caused by bacteria. Moxifloxacin injection is in a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. It works by killing the bacteria that cause infections. Antibiotics will not work against colds, flu, or other viral infections.

HOW should this medicine be used?

Moxifloxacin injection comes as a solution (liquid) to be given through a needle or catheter placed into a vein. It is usually infused (injected slowly) intravenously (into a vein) over a period of at least 60 minutes once a day for 5 to 21 days. The length of treatment depends on the type of infection being treated. Your doctor will tell you how long to use moxifloxacin injection.

You may receive moxifloxacin injection in a hospital, or you may use the medication at home. If you will be using moxifloxacin injection at home, use it at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or other healthcare provider to explain any part you do not understand. Use moxifloxacin injection exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

If you will be using moxifloxacin injection at home, your health care provider will show you how to infuse the medication. Be sure that you understand these directions, and ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions. Ask your healthcare provider what to do if you have any problems infusing moxifloxacin injection.

You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with moxifloxacin injection. If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.

Use moxifloxacin injection until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. Do not stop using moxifloxacin injection unless you experience the symptoms of tendinitis or tendon rupture described in the IMPORTANT WARNING section or the symptoms of allergic reaction described in the SIDE EFFECTS section. If you stop using moxifloxacin injection too soon or if you skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?

Moxifloxacin injection is also sometimes used to treat tuberculosis (TB) and endocarditis (infection of the heart lining and valves) when other medications cannot be used. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

Before using moxifloxacin injection,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to moxifloxacin, other quinolone or fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), gatifloxacin (Tequin) (not available in the US), gemifloxacin (Factive), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin) (not available in the US), nalidixic acid (NegGram), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), and sparfloxacin (Zagam) (not available in the US), or any other medications.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); certain antidepressants; antipsychotics (medications to treat mental illness); nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, others); cisapride (Propulsid) (not available in the US); diuretics ('water pills') erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin, others); or certain medications for irregular heartbeat including amiodarone (Cordarone), disopyramide (Norpace), procainamide (Procanbid), quinidine, and sotalol (Betapace, Betapace AF, Sorine). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had a prolonged QT interval (a rare heart problem that may cause irregular heartbeat, fainting, or sudden death) or an irregular heartbeat and if you have or have ever had nerve problems, cerebral arteriosclerosis (narrowing of blood vessels in or near the brain that can lead to stroke or mini-stroke), seizures, chest pain, a slow heartbeat, a low level of potassium in your blood, or liver disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or if you are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using moxifloxacin injection, call your doctor.
  • you should know that moxifloxacin injection may cause dizziness and lightheadedness. Do not drive a car, operate machinery, or participate in activities requiring alertness or coordination until you know how moxifloxacin injection affects you.
  • plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light (tanning beds and sunlamps) and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Moxifloxacin injection may make your skin sensitive to sunlight. Call your doctor if you develop skin redness or blisters during your treatment with moxifloxacin injection.

What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?

Make sure you drink plenty of water or other fluids every day during your treatment with moxifloxacin injection.

What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?

Moxifloxacin injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • stomach pain
  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • gas
  • heartburn
  • loss of appetite
  • change in ability to taste food
  • sores in the mouth or on the tongue
  • white patches in the mouth
  • dry mouth
  • headache
  • weakness
  • sweating
  • vaginal itching or burning
  • irritation, pain, tenderness, redness, warmth, or swelling at the injection spot

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, or those mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, stop using moxifloxacin injection, and call your doctor immediately:

  • severe diarrhea (watery or bloody stools) that may occur with or without fever and stomach cramps (may occur up to 2 months or more after your treatment)
  • rash
  • itching
  • hives
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • swelling of the face or throat
  • loss of consciousness
  • fever
  • blistering or peeling skin
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes
  • dark urine
  • excessive tiredness
  • muscle or joint pain
  • pale skin
  • shortness of breath
  • unusual bruising or bleeding
  • fast, pounding or irregular heartbeat
  • fainting
  • seizures
  • dizziness
  • confusion
  • nervousness
  • agitation
  • restlessness
  • not trusting others or feeling that others are trying to harm you
  • depression
  • thoughts about harming or killing yourself
  • hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
  • nightmares
  • difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
  • pain, numbness, burning, tingling, and/or weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet

Moxifloxacin injection may cause problems with bones, joints, and tissues around joints in children. Moxifloxacin injection should not be given to children younger than 18 years of age. Talk to your child's doctor about the risks of giving moxifloxacin injection to your child.

Moxifloxacin injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are using this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at Web Site] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

What should I know about STORAGE and DISPOSAL of this medication?

If you will be using moxifloxacin injection at home, your healthcare provider will tell you how to store your medication. Store your medication only as directed. Make sure you understand how to store your medication properly. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your healthcare provider about the proper disposal of your medication.

Keep your supplies in a clean, dry place out of the reach of children when you are not using them. Your healthcare provider will tell you how to throw away used needles, syringes, tubing, and containers to avoid accidental injury.

What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to moxifloxacin injection.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish using moxifloxacin injection, call your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

Selected Revisions: June 15, 2011.