Moxifloxacin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Warnings, Interactions and Price in India

Medical information below is based on the US FDA prescribing information for Avelox (moxifloxacin), revised 7/2025. Indian labelling and prescribing practice may differ. Your doctor decides which medicine, dose and duration suit you.

At a Glance

What Is Moxifloxacin?

Moxifloxacin is a prescription fluoroquinolone antibiotic, available as a 400 mg tablet and as an injection. Fluoroquinolones can cause serious and sometimes long-lasting side effects, so the FDA label restricts some of their uses (see Uses).

How Moxifloxacin Works

Moxifloxacin is bactericidal, meaning it kills bacteria. It blocks two bacterial enzymes, DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, which bacteria need to copy and repair their DNA.

Uses of Moxifloxacin

The US label lists these uses in adults aged 18 and older:

• Community-acquired pneumonia

• Uncomplicated and complicated skin and skin structure infections

• Complicated intra-abdominal infections

• Plague (pneumonic and septicemic), including prophylaxis

• Acute bacterial sinusitis

• Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis

For sinusitis and chronic bronchitis flare-ups, the label says to reserve moxifloxacin for patients who have no alternative treatment.

Urinary tract infections and ear infections are not listed uses on this label. Antibiotics do not work against viral infections.

Dosage and How to Take Moxifloxacin

US prescribing information example (adults): 400 mg every 24 hours, with the duration depending on the infection.

These figures show how the US label is written. They are not a recommendation for you. Your treating doctor decides the medicine, dose and duration, and these may differ from the US label.

Taking the tablets: they may be taken with or without food, and the label advises drinking fluids liberally. Take them at least 4 hours before or 8 hours after antacids, sucralfate and multivitamins containing iron or zinc.

Children: the US label says effectiveness in patients under 18 has not been established and gives no paediatric dose. Moxifloxacin caused joint damage in juvenile animals.

Kidney and liver (US label): no dose adjustment is recommended in kidney impairment, including dialysis. No adjustment is recommended for mild, moderate or severe hepatic insufficiency, but the label says to use it with caution in these patients.

Take this medicine only as advised by your doctor or healthcare professional. Do not start, stop, or change the dose on your own.

Side Effects of Moxifloxacin

Common side effects: the US label lists nausea, diarrhea, headache and dizziness as the most common (3% or more of patients in trials). Vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain and difficulty sleeping were reported less often.

Serious side effects (US label):

• Tendinitis and tendon rupture

• Peripheral neuropathy (numbness, tingling, burning or weakness in the hands or feet)

• Central nervous system effects, including seizures, psychiatric reactions and tremors

• Worsening of muscle weakness in myasthenia gravis

• QT prolongation and serious heart rhythm problems (torsade de pointes)

• Severe or persistent diarrhea (C. difficile-associated), which can occur more than two months after antibiotics

• Low or high blood sugar, including severe cases with coma, mainly in older people with diabetes on insulin or sulfonylureas

• Aortic aneurysm or dissection

• Serious allergic reactions, including after the first dose

• Photosensitivity

• Liver injury, including hepatitis, jaundice and liver failure

When to stop and seek help

The label says to discontinue moxifloxacin immediately at the first signs of any serious adverse reaction. Examples include tendon pain or swelling, nerve symptoms, mental or mood changes, a skin rash, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or severe or persistent diarrhea. Contact your doctor urgently. Do not wait to finish the course.

Seek emergency care immediately for:

• Fainting or a racing, irregular heartbeat

• Severe breathing difficulty

• Swelling of the face, lips or throat

• A seizure

• Sudden severe chest, back or abdominal pain

Precautions and Warnings

Formal contraindication (US label): a history of hypersensitivity to moxifloxacin or any quinolone antibiotic.

Warnings and precautions, which are not formal contraindications. Tell your doctor if you have:

• Myasthenia gravis. The label says to avoid use in patients with a known history.

• Previous peripheral neuropathy. The label says to avoid use.

• QT prolongation, a ventricular arrhythmia, uncorrected low potassium or magnesium, a very slow heart rate, or recent heart muscle ischemia. The label advises avoiding use in these situations.

• A seizure disorder or other CNS disorder. The label advises caution.

• Diabetes, especially with insulin or sulfonylureas. Blood sugar changes can occur.

• Liver impairment. The label advises caution.

• Tendon risk factors: age over 60, corticosteroid use, or a kidney, heart or lung transplant.

• Aortic aneurysm or risk factors for one.

Ask your doctor about sun protection, because photosensitivity is a labelled warning.

Drug Interactions

This is not a complete list. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and OTC medicines, supplements and herbal products you use.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Pregnancy (US label): there are no available human data establishing a drug-associated risk. Animal studies suggest moxifloxacin may cause fetal harm. Animal findings do not prove the same outcome in humans. Your doctor weighs the benefits and risks for your situation.

Breastfeeding (US label): it is not known if moxifloxacin is present in human milk. Based on rat studies, it may be excreted in human milk. Your doctor weighs the benefits and risks for you and your baby.

Brands, Strengths and Price in India

The strength confirmed on both listings is 400 mg tablets. Prices are retailer listings, not fixed official prices. They may vary by retailer, location and date, and availability may change. Checked on 13 Oct 2026 (IST).

How HealthPil Can Help

Medicines should be started, adjusted, or stopped only under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional. If you have questions about this medicine, its side effects, or your treatment plan, you can consult a doctor through HealthPil.