Moxifloxacin

Moxifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic medicine available in Bangladesh under many brand names. Below are its uses, side effects and precautions — and every brand with its current price.

Moxifloxacin is prescribed by doctors for certain infections caused by sensitive bacteria, including:

• Acute worsening of chronic bronchitis
• Community-acquired pneumonia
• Acute bacterial sinusitis
• Some skin and soft-tissue infections
• Certain complicated abdominal or pelvic infections

Because of its risks, it is usually used when first-choice antibiotics cannot be used or have failed. Your doctor decides whether moxifloxacin is appropriate for you.

Moxifloxacin can cause side effects, some of which are serious:

• Common: nausea, diarrhoea, dizziness and headache
• Less common: sleep problems, taste changes and skin rash
• Serious (seek urgent help): pain, swelling or snapping in a tendon (such as the heel); palpitations or fainting (heart-rhythm change); severe diarrhoea; numbness or tingling; mood or nerve changes; or signs of a severe skin or allergic reaction

Stop the medicine and contact a doctor straight away if you notice tendon pain, an irregular heartbeat or any severe reaction.

Moxifloxacin is a prescription-only antibiotic that must be used with special care. Take it only when a registered doctor prescribes it — never self-medicate, share it, or keep leftovers for another illness.

• Tendon and nerve risk: fluoroquinolones can cause tendon swelling or rupture and nerve problems. Stop the medicine and see a doctor if you get tendon pain, especially in the heel, or numbness and tingling.
• Heart rhythm (QT): tell your doctor about heart conditions, fainting, or a family history of rhythm problems.
• Complete the full course; stopping early fuels antibiotic resistance, a serious and growing crisis in Bangladesh.
• Avoid strong sunlight, and use caution if you have diabetes, epilepsy or muscle weakness (myasthenia).

Tell your doctor about all your medicines and supplements. Moxifloxacin can interact with:

• Antacids, iron, calcium, zinc and magnesium — these bind the drug and reduce absorption, so separate them by several hours
• Medicines that affect heart rhythm — some anti-arrhythmics, antipsychotics, antidepressants and other antibiotics
• Warfarin — bleeding risk may rise
• Steroids — increase the risk of tendon damage
• Diabetes medicines — blood sugar may rise or fall

Never combine moxifloxacin with new medicines without checking with your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not take Moxifloxacin if you:

• Are allergic to moxifloxacin or other quinolone antibiotics
• Have a heart-rhythm disorder such as long-QT, or significant electrolyte imbalance
• Have had tendon problems with a quinolone before
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are a child/adolescent (except in special specialist cases)

Share your full medical history, including heart and tendon problems, before starting this medicine.

Moxifloxacin is not recommended during pregnancy. Fluoroquinolones are generally avoided because of concerns about effects on developing joints and cartilage, and safer antibiotics are usually preferred.

The drug can pass into breast milk, so it is not recommended while breastfeeding. If you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, are planning a pregnancy or are breastfeeding, tell your doctor before taking Moxifloxacin, so that a safer antibiotic can be chosen for you and your baby.

Store Moxifloxacin in a cool, dry place below 30°C, away from direct sunlight and moisture.

• Keep tablets in their original blister pack.
• Do not remove a tablet from its blister until you are ready to take it.
• Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
• Do not use after the expiry date; return unused medicine to a pharmacy for safe disposal.