Generic Name: moxifloxacin (moxi FLOX a sin)
Brand Names: Avelox
Avelox is an antibiotic in the class of drugs called fluoroquinolones. It fights bacteria in the body. It kills sensitive bacteria by stopping the production of essential proteins needed by the bacteria to survive.
Avelox is used to treat bacterial infections caused by certain bacteria.
Avelox may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information about Avelox
You should not use Avelox if you are allergic to moxifloxacin or similar antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), ofloxacin (Floxin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), and others.
Before taking Avelox, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, myasthenia gravis, joint problems, diabetes, a history of seizures, low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia), or a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."
Avoid taking antacids, vitamin or mineral supplements, sucralfate (Carafate), or didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets 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.
Taking Avelox can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Avoid exposure to sunlight, sun lamps, or tanning beds.
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. These effects may be more likely to occur if you are over 60, if you take an oral steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant. Stop taking Avelox and call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints. Rest the joint until you receive medical care or instructions. Do not share Avelox with another person (especially a child), even if they have the same symptoms you do.
Before taking Avelox
Do not use Avelox if you are allergic to moxifloxacin or similar medications such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), ofloxacin (Floxin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), and others.
Before taking Avelox, tell your doctor if you have a heart rhythm disorder, especially if you are being treated with one of these medications: quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute), disopyramide (Norpace), bretylium (Bretylol), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan SR), amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), or sotalol (Betapace).
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before you take Avelox, tell your doctor if you have:
- a history of allergic reaction to an antibiotic;
myasthenia gravis;
joint problems;
- kidney or liver disease, cirrhosis;
epilepsy or a history of seizures;
diabetes;
low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia); or
a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."
FDA pregnancy category C: It is not known whether Avelox is harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use Avelox without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Moxifloxacin passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. 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. These effects may be more likely to occur if you are over 60, if you take an oral steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant. Stop taking Avelox and call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints. Rest the joint until you receive medical care or instructions. Do not share Avelox with another person (especially a child), even if they have the same symptoms you do.
Moxifloxacin Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings
Overview
Moxifloxacin Pregnancy Warnings
Of 549 cases reported by the European Network of Teratology Information Services involving exposure to other fluoroquinolones, congenital malformations were reported in 4.8%; however, this was not higher than the background rate.
Moxifloxacin has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Studies with rats and rabbits have revealed evidence of maternal toxicity, decreased fetal and placental weight, rib and vertebral malformations, and delayed fetal skeletal ossification. Studies using doses of 100 mg/kg/day in cynomolgus monkeys did not reveal evidence of teratogenicity; however, there was an increased incidence of smaller fetal size. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Surveillance studies have not reported an increased risk of major birth defects with other quinolones. However, cartilage damage and arthropathies are reported in immature animals exposed to quinolones, giving rise to concern over effects on fetal bone formation. Because safer alternatives are available, some experts consider other quinolones contraindicated during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. The manufacturer only recommends use of moxifloxacin during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.
Moxifloxacin Breastfeeding Warnings
There are no data on the excretion of moxifloxacin into human milk. However, since other fluoroquinolone antibiotics are excreted into human milk, it is likely that moxifloxacin is also excreted. It is excreted into rat milk. Cartilage erosion and arthropathy have been reported in immature animals giving rise to concern over toxic effects in the developing joints of nursing infants. Because of the potential for serious adverse effects in nursing infants, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or discontinue moxifloxacin, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
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