Home Drug Guide Moxifloxacin Hydrochloride

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Moxifloxacin Hydrochloride

Brand Names Avelox, Vigamox, Moxeza, Avelox In Sodium Chloride 0.8% In Plastic Container

Classification

Therapeutic: Antibiotic / Antimicrobial

Pharmacological: Fluoroquinolone antibiotic

FDA Approved Indications

  • Bacterial conjunctivitis (Vigamox, Moxeza)
  • Community-acquired pneumonia
  • Sinusitis
  • Skin and skin structure infections
  • Intra-abdominal infections
  • Pseudo-membranous colitis

Mechanism of Action

inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, enzymes critical for bacterial DNA replication, transcription, repair, and recombination, leading to bacterial cell death.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Typically 400 mg once daily for systemic infections; ophthalmic preparations (Vigamox, Moxeza) administered as per ophthalmic dose recommendations.

Pediatric: Use varies; consult specific product guidelines. Ophthalmic forms are approved for children over 1 year.

Geriatric: No specific dose adjustment required; monitor for adverse effects.

Renal Impairment: No dose adjustment necessary for most patients; however, caution is advised in severe renal impairment.

Hepatic Impairment: No specific adjustment recommended.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Systemic absorption is rapid when given orally; ophthalmic formulations have minimal systemic absorption.

Distribution: Widely distributed in body tissues and fluids.

Metabolism: Partially metabolized; primarily excreted unchanged.

Excretion: Renal elimination; primarily unchanged drug in urine.

Half Life: Approximately 12 hours.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to moxifloxacin or other fluoroquinolones.

Precautions

  • Tendonitis and tendon rupture risk, especially in older adults and concurrent corticosteroid use.
  • Central nervous system effects, including dizziness and confusion.
  • Peripheral neuropathy.
  • Seizures.
  • Pregnancy and lactation: Use only if clearly needed; potential risks to fetus/infant.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Nausea (Common)
  • Headache (Common)
  • Diarrhea (Common)
  • Vaginal candidiasis (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Tendon rupture (Rare)
  • CNS effects (e.g., seizures, hallucinations) (Rare)
  • QT prolongation and arrhythmias (Rare)
  • Serious hypersensitivity reactions (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Other drugs prolonging QT interval (e.g., amiodarone, sotalol).
  • Theophylline (may increase serum levels).
  • Anti-diabetic agents (may alter blood glucose levels).

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for signs of tendonitis or tendon rupture, CNS effects, and hypersensitivity reactions. Assess renal function before systemic use.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for tendon injury
  • Altered mental status
  • Potential for hypersensitivity

Implementation: Administer as prescribed; inform patients about possible side effects; advise hydration to reduce crystalluria.

Evaluation: Monitor symptom resolution and adverse effect emergence.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Report any sudden tendon pain, swelling, or rupture.
  • Be aware of neurological changes such as dizziness, confusion, or tremors.
  • Avoid excessive sun exposure; photosensitivity can occur.
  • Complete the full course of therapy even if symptoms improve.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Tendonitis and tendon rupture, peripheral neuropathy, CNS effects.

Genetic Factors: None specified.

Lab Test Interference: May cause false elevation in serum bilirubin levels.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, neurological symptoms.

Treatment: Supportive care; no specific antidote. Dialysis may be considered in severe cases.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at controlled room temperature (20-25°C). Keep container tightly closed.

Stability: Stable for the duration of the labeled shelf life when stored properly.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.