Daily Medication Pearl: Moxifloxacin Hydrochloride (Avelox)

Medication Pearl of the Day: Moxifloxacin Hydrochloride (Avelox)

Indication: Moxifloxacin hydrochloride (Avelox) is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial indicated for treating infections in adults 18 years of age and older caused by designated susceptible bacteria, in community acquired pneumonia, skin and skin structure infections: uncomplicated and complicated intra-abdominal infections, plague, acute bacterial sinusitis, acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis.

Insight:

• Dosing: 400 mg 7 to 14 days
• Dosage forms: Tablets of moxifloxacin hydrochloride (equivalent to 400 mg moxifloxacin). Injection of moxifloxacin hydrochloride (equivalent to 400 mg moxifloxacin) in 0.8% sodium chloride solution in a 250 mL flexbag.
• Adverse events: Most common reactions (3% or greater) were nausea, diarrhea, headache, and dizziness.
• Mechanism of action: The bactericidal action of moxifloxacin results from inhibition of the topoisomerase II (DNA gyrase) and topoisomerase IV required for bacterial DNA replication, transcription, repair, and recombination.

Source: AVELOX (moxifloxacin hydrochloride (fda.gov)