Avelox

Common use

Avelox is used to treat different types of bacterial infections of the skin, sinuses, lungs, or stomach. It is used to treat community acquired pneumonia, plague, bacterial sinusitis, and chronic bronchitis with bacterial infection. Avelox is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body.

Dosage and direction

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Take Avelox oral with water, and drink extra fluids to keep your kidneys working properly. You may take Avelox oral with or without food, at the same time each day. Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication.

Precautions

To make sure Avelox is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: tendon problems, bone problems, arthritis, or other joint problems; blood circulation problems, aneurysm, narrowing or hardening of the arteries; heart problems, high blood pressure; a genetic disease such as Marfan syndrome or Ehler's-Danlos syndrome; diabetes; a muscle or nerve disorder, such as myasthenia gravis; liver or kidney disease; a seizure, head injury, or brain tumor; long QT syndrome (in you or a family member); or low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia).
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Contraindications

You should not use Avelox if you are allergic to moxifloxacin or other fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, gemifloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin, and others).
Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have symptoms such as: headache, hunger, irritability, numbness, tingling, burning pain, confusion, agitation, paranoia, problems with memory or concentration, thoughts of suicide, or sudden pain or movement problems in any of your joints.

Possible side effect

Common Avelox side effects may include: nausea, diarrhea; dizziness; or headache.

Drug interaction

If you take any of the following medicines, take your Avelox dose 4 hours before or 8 hours after you take the other medicine: the ulcer medicine sucralfate, or antacids that contain calcium, magnesium, or aluminum (such as Maalox, Milk of Magnesia, Mylanta, Pepcid Complete, Rolaids, Tums, and others); didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets; lanthanum carbonate or sevelamer; or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain aluminum, iron, magnesium, or zinc.
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially: erythromycin; a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven); a diuretic or "water pill"; heart rhythm medication; insulin or oral diabetes medicine (check your blood sugar regularly); medicine to treat depression or mental illness; steroid medicine (such as prednisone); or NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) - aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

Missed dose

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if your next dose is due in less than 8 hours. Do not take two doses at one time.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention.

Storage

Store Avelox oral at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep away from children and pets.