Generic Avelox ™ ®: Moxifloxacin
Moxifloxacin is the chemical name of the active ingredient in Avelox ™ ®

Tablets
Chemical Name: MOXIFLOXACIN (mox-i-FLOX-a-sin)

Common uses : This medicine is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections.

Before using : Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. Other drugs besides moxifloxacin, which may affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation in the EKG), include amiodarone, dofetilide, pimozide, quinidine, sotalol, procainamide, and sparfloxacin among others. QTc prolongation can infrequently result in serious, rarely fatal, irregular heartbeats. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. Ask for instructions about whether you need to stop any other QTc-prolonging drugs you may be using in order to minimize the risk of this effect. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone, hydrocortisone). Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including liver disease, heart problems, seizures, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have low blood potassium or a history of prolonged QT interval. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IN CHILDREN under 18 years of age is not recommended. Consult your doctor about risks and benefits before giving this medicine to your child.

Directions : Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. THIS MEDICINE COMES WITH A PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. TAKE THIS MEDICINE at the same time each day. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. Drink several additional glasses of water daily, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. TAKE THIS MEDICINE 4 hours before or 8 hours after taking any medicines containing magnesium or aluminum. Some examples include quinapril, didanosine, vitamins/minerals, and antacids. Sucralfate, bismuth subsalicylate, iron, and zinc are also included. These medicines bind with moxifloxacin preventing its full absorption. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly-closed container, away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets. TO CLEAR UP YOUR INFECTION COMPLETELY, continue taking this medicine for the full course of treatment even if you begin to feel better in a few days. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE and you are taking 1 dose daily, take the missed dose if you remember the same day. Skip the missed dose if you do not remember until the next day. DO NOT take 2 doses at once.

Cautions : DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE IF YOU HAVE HAD A SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine or another fluoroquinolone antibiotic (such as Cipro, Floxin). A severe reaction includes a severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, or dizziness. If you have a question about whether you are allergic to this medicine or if a certain medicine is a fluoroquinolone, contact your doctor or pharmacist. IF YOU EXPERIENCE difficulty breathing; tightness of chest; swelling of eyelids, face, or lips; or if you develop a rash or hives, tell your doctor immediately. Do not take any more doses of this medicine unless your doctor tells you to do so. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE without checking with your doctor. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to this medicine. Use sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Caution should be used in the elderly since they may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug (e.g., tendon problems), especially if they are also taking corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone, hydrocortisone). FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.

Possible side effects : SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, mild diarrhea, dizziness, mental/mood changes, or headache. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience tendon pain, joint pain or swelling, rash, swelling of throat or tongue, difficulty breathing, severe or continuing diarrhea, itching, hives, fainting, irregular heartbeat, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or seizures. Based on information from other similar medicines, tendon damage has been reported infrequently. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY AND STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE if you experience unusual muscle/tendon pain or swelling. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Drug interactions : Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions

If you take too much : If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Additional information : If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, check with your doctor. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions, or later for other infections. A different medicine may be needed in those cases. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets.