Moxifloxacin
About
Moxifloxacin belongs to the class of 'antibiotics', primarily taken to treat bacterial infections. A bacterial infection is a condition in which bacteria grow in the body and cause infection. It can target any body part and multiple very quickly.
Moxifloxacin contains Moxifloxacin, which acts as a bactericidal agent that kills bacteria causing a wide range of infections. It works by stopping a bacteria's ability to copy their genetic material (DNA) which ultimately kills bacteria and stops them from reproducing.
Moxifloxacin should be taken in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. It is advised to take with food and should be taken at a fixed time to achieve maximum effect. In some cases, you may experience common side effects like nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, dizziness, and headache. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
It is not advisable to stop this medicine suddenly to avoid unpleasant side effects. Inform your doctor if you have any lung disease, muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis), sleeping disorder or difficulty in sleeping (sleep apnoea), severe liver disease, or problem with alcohol or other prescription recreational drugs. Inform your doctor if you are planning to get pregnant, are pregnant or breastfeeding. Moxifloxacin may cause dizziness affecting your ability to drive; hence, drive only when you are alert. Avoid alcohol consumption since it may lead to increased dizziness.
Uses of Moxifloxacin
Medicinal Benefits
Moxifloxacin is a bactericidal agent that kills bacteria, causing a wide range of infections. It works by stopping a bacteria's ability to copy their genetic material (DNA) which ultimately kills bacteria and prevents them from reproducing which treats your infection. It is a broad-spectrum antibiotic effective against a wide range of gram-positive, gram-negative, and anaerobic bacteria (that live without oxygen).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Moxifloxacin
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Loss of appetite
- Dizziness
- Headache
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Moxifloxacin should be taken with caution if you are allergic to any antibiotics or moxifloxacin. Let your doctor know if you have tendon/bone problems, heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, myasthenia gravis, liver or kidney diseases before starting Moxifloxacin. Moxifloxacin is not recommended during pregnancy. Inform your doctor in advance if you are a breastfeeding mother before starting Moxifloxacin. Moxifloxacin may cause dizziness affecting your ability to drive; hence, drive only when you are alert. Avoid alcohol consumption since it may lead to increased dizziness. Moxifloxacin is not recommended for children and adolescents under the age of 18.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Moxifloxacin may interact with antacid (sucralfate), anti-HIV drug (didanosine), minerals like (iron, zinc, magnesium), antibiotics (azithromycin), insulin or any of its form, lithium, anti-depressants (escitalopram), schizophrenic drugs (risperidone), blood thinner (warfarin).
Drug-Food Interaction: Moxifloxacin may interact with vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs. Calcium-enriched foods or fortified juices along with dairy products should be avoided while getting treatment with Moxifloxacin.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Inform your doctor if you have abnormal heart rhythm on ECG, diabetes, myasthenia gravis, low potassium or magnesium in the blood, slow heart rhythm (bradycardia), heart failure, lupus (an autoimmune disease with inflammation) or severe liver diseases.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is not known how the Moxifloxacin is affected by alcohol consumption; please consult your doctor for more information.
Pregnancy
cautionMoxifloxacin is not recommended during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before starting Moxifloxacin.
Breast Feeding
cautionIf you are a breastfeeding mother, please seek medical advice before starting Moxifloxacin.
Driving
cautionMoxifloxacin may make you feel dizzy or light-headed, you may experience a sudden blurry vision. If you experience any of these, do not drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionMoxifloxacin to be taken with caution if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions.
Kidney
cautionMoxifloxacin to be taken with caution if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions.
Children
cautionMoxifloxacin is not recommended for children and adolescents under the age of 18 because efficacy and safety have not been established for this age group.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Probiotics should be taken after taking the full course of Moxifloxacin in order to restore some of the healthy bacteria in the intestines that may have been killed. Taking probiotics after antibiotic treatment can reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Certain fermented foods like yoghurt, cheese, sauerkraut, kombucha and kimchi can help to restore the good bacteria of the intestine.
- Include more fibre-enriched food in your diet, as it can be easily digested by your gut bacteria, which helps stimulate their growth. Thus, fibre foods may help restore healthy gut bacteria after a course of antibiotics. Whole grains like whole-grain bread and brown rice should be included in your diet.
- Avoid taking too much calcium, iron-enriched foods and drinks as it might affect the working of Moxifloxacin.
- Avoid intake of alcoholic beverages with Moxifloxacin as it can make you dehydrated and affect your sleep. This can make it harder for your body to aid the Moxifloxacin in fighting off infections.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial infection occurs when harmful bacteria grow in the body and causes illness. It can infect any part of the body and multiply very quickly. Bacteria occur in three basic shapes: spherical, rod and spiral-shaped. Bacteria may be gram-positive (have a thick cell wall) or gram-negative (do not have a cell wall). Some common symptoms of a bacterial infection include cough, fever and tiredness.
FAQs
Moxifloxacin is a bactericidal agent that kills bacteria causing a wide range of infections. It works by stopping a bacteria's ability to copy their genetic material (DNA) which ultimately kills bacteria and stops them from reproducing. Thus, it treats bacterial infections.
Moxifloxacin may make the skin sensitive to sunlight. So, prolonged exposure to strong sunlight/UV light should be avoided while using Moxifloxacin.
Moxifloxacin may cause muscle weakness and should be avoided in people who have any muscle weakness or myasthenia gravis as it might worsen the condition. Please consult your doctor, before starting Moxifloxacin if you have any such disease condition.
Moxifloxacin is an antibacterial medicine that acts only against bacterial infections and not viral infections like cough, cold and flu. You should not take Moxifloxacin without prior consulting your doctor. Self-medication is dangerous and can lower the efficacy of Moxifloxacin leading to antibiotic resistance.
It is recommended to complete the course even if you feel better as it is an antibiotic, and stopping it midway may lead to recurring infections. Continue taking Moxifloxacin for as long as your doctor has prescribed to treat your condition effectually.
