Moxifloxacin

In Aotearoa New Zealand moxifloxacin is available as tablets (400mg) and can be given as an injection in the hospital.

• The usual dose of moxifloxacin for adults is 400mg once a day.
• Your doctor will advise you how long to take moxifloxacin for, depending on the type of infection.
• For most infections, you should start to feel better within a few days.
• Always take your moxifloxacin exactly as your doctor has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much to take, how often to take it and any special instructions.

• Timing of your doses: You can take moxifloxacin tablets with or without food, at about the same time each day. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Don't chew them.
• Missed dose: If you forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is nearly time for your next dose, take the next dose at the right time. Don't take extra doses to make up for a forgotten dose. If you are not sure what to do, ask your healthcare provider.
• Finish the course: Take the whole course of antibiotics for the number of days you have been told to. Don't stop taking it, even if you feel your infection has cleared up. If you stop your treatment early, your infection could come back.

• Don't drink milk or take indigestion remedies or medicines with iron or zinc (such as multivitamin tablets) 2 hours before or after you have taken moxifloxacin. These interfere with the way moxifloxacin is absorbed and stop it from working fully.
• Moxifloxacin can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so it's important to cover up and wear sunscreen if you spend time outside, especially in the summer months.
• Limit alcohol while you are taking moxifloxacin. Alcohol can increase your chance of side effects such as dizziness or feeling faint. 
• Moxifloxacin can interact with some medicines, herbal supplements and rongoā Māori, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting moxifloxacin and before starting any new products.
• Moxifloxacin can cause dizziness, so be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.

Like all medicines, moxifloxacin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. If you're concerned about any symptoms you think might be related to your medicine, talk to your healthcare provider. The following information offers some guidance but doesn't include all possible side effects.

Tendon problems

Moxifloxacin can cause tendon problems such as tendinitis or tendon rupture. The Achilles tendon in your ankle or calf is most likely to be affected but other tendons can also be involved.

You're at higher risk if you:

• are over 60 years of age
• are taking steroids (eg, prednisone)
• have chronic kidney disease or have had a kidney, heart or lung transplant.

Let your healthcare provider know straight away if you get pain and swelling in your joints. This can happen from a few hours after the first dose to months after you've stopped the treatment.

Common side effects

Tell your healthcare provider if these side effects bother you.

• Nausea (feeling sick), stomach pains.
• Mild diarrhoea (runny poo).
• Headache.
• Tinnitus or ringing in the ears.
• Problems sleeping.
• Sore muscles.
• Feeling dizzy, sleepy: Be careful when driving or using tools until you know how this medicine affects you. Avoid alcohol.
• Confusion or anxiety.
   

Tell your healthcare provider immediately or phone Healthline free on 0800 611 116 if these occur

• Problems with your heart rate or breathing.
• Swelling of your ankles.
• Seizures.
• Signs of problems with your liver such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pain in the abdomen.

Phone 111 for an ambulance or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) clinic if these occur

• Signs of an allergic reaction such as itchy skin, and rash, swollen lips or tongue, problems breathing, like a tight chest or shortness of breath.
   

 Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect.