Moxifloxacin: The Antibiotic for Respiratory and Skin Infections
What is Moxifloxacin?
Moxifloxacin is a synthetic fluoroquinolone antibiotic used to treat a wide array of bacterial infections, particularly those in the respiratory tract and skin. It is effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
How Moxifloxacin Works
Moxifloxacin is a bactericidal drug which inhibits DNA gyrase, topoisomerase IV, an enzyme required for bacterial DNA replication, and maintains the helical structure of DNA. This prevents the bacteria from reproducing, ultimately killing them.
When to Use Moxifloxacin
● Respiratory Infections: Moxifloxacin is used to treat pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinusitis.
● Skin Infections: It is also effective in treating skin and soft tissue infections.
● Other Infections: Moxifloxacin is used for infections caused by bacteria in other parts of the body, including urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Dosage
● Adult Dose: Typically, 400 mg once daily for 5-14 days depending on the type and severity of the infection.
● Pediatric Dose: In surgical prophylaxis, it is given as 10 mg/kg within 120 minutes prior to the surgery. Maximum dose is 400 mg/dose. It is generally avoided in younger children without skeletal maturity. However, in cases like anthrax, it is used as 4 mg/kg/dose every 12 hours with a maximum dose of 200 mg/dose.
Side Effects
● Common Effects: Nausea, diarrhea, headache, and dizziness.
● Serious Adverse Effects: Tendon rupture, QT prolongation, and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea.
Common Indian brands: Moxicip, Mahaflox