Avelox

Avelox
moxifloxacin (moxi FLOX a sin)
Avelox, Avelox I.V.

What is the most important information I should know about Avelox?
• Use the Avelox for as many days as it was prescribed for you, even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated.
• Do not use Avelox without first talking to your doctor if you or any member of your family have a heart condition known as long QT syndrome. Also, do not use Avelox if you are also using a heart rhythm medicine such as quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan SR), amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), sotalol (Betapace), and others.
• Certain other medicines you may be using can decrease the effectiveness of Avelox and must be used at least 4 hours after or 8 hours before you use Avelox. Some of these medicines are antacids that contain magnesium, calcium, or aluminum (such as Tums, Rolaids, Maalox, and others); the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate); vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc; or didanosine chewable/buffered tablets or pediatric powder for oral solution (ddI, Videx, Videx Pediatric, and others).
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Avelox may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.

What is Avelox?
• Avelox is an antibiotic in the class of drugs called fluoroquinolones. It fights bacteria in the body.
• Avelox is used to treat bacterial infections.
• Avelox may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Avelox?
• Do not use Avelox without first talking to your doctor if you or any member of your family have a heart condition known as long QT syndrome. Also, do not use Avelox if you are also using a heart rhythm medicine such as quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan SR), amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), sotalol (Betapace), and others.
• Before taking Avelox, tell your doctor if you have
· a low level of potassium in your blood;
· a slow heart rate;
· heart disease;
· liver disease; or
· epilepsy or another seizure disorder.
• You may not be able to use Avelox or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you have any of these conditions.
• Avelox is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Avelox will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use Avelox without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
• It is unknown whether Avelox passes into breast milk. Do not use Avelox without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
• Avelox is not approved for use by children younger than 18 years old.

How should I use Avelox?
• Use Avelox exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Use each oral dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Drink plenty of fluid while taking Avelox.
• Avelox can be used with or without food.
• Avelox is usually used once a day. Use each dose at the same time every day. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
• Avelox may also be given by a healthcare provider by intravenous (IV) infusion.
• Use the Avelox for as many days as it was prescribed for you, even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated.
• This medication will not treat a viral infection, such as flu or common cold.
• Certain other medicines you may be using can decrease the effectiveness of Avelox and must be used at least 4 hours after or 8 hours before you use Avelox. Some of these medicines are antacids that contain magnesium, calcium, or aluminum (such as Tums, Rolaids, Maalox, and others); the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate); vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc; or didanosine chewable/buffered tablets or pediatric powder for oral solution (ddI, Videx, Videx Pediatric, and others).
• Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?
• Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention.
• Symptoms of a Avelox overdose include seizures, poor coordination, tremors, sleepiness, vomiting and diarrhea.

What should I avoid while taking Avelox?
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Although it has not been reported with the use of Avelox, other similar medicines have caused increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Severe sunburn has resulted, even with minimal sun exposure. If you must be out in the sun while using Avelox, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Call your doctor if you experience severe burning, redness, itching, rash, or swelling after exposure to the sun.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Avelox may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.

What are the possible side effects of Avelox?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop using Avelox and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· irregular or rapid heartbeat;
· bloody or watery diarrhea;
· fainting;
· seizures;
· liver damage (yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes, nausea, stomach pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue);
· sudden pain or swelling near your joints (especially in your arm or ankle); or
· skin rash.
• If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue using Avelox and talk to your doctor:
· nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain;
· dizziness;
· nervousness, anxiety, or sleep problems; or
· increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
• If you have diarrhea while using Avelox, call your doctor before using any medicine to stop the diarrhea, especially if it is watery or contains blood.

What other drugs will affect Avelox?
• Certain other medicines you may be using can decrease the effectiveness of Avelox and must be taken at least 4 hours after or 8 hours before you use Avelox. Some of these medicines are antacids that contain magnesium, calcium, or aluminum (such as Tums, Rolaids, Maalox, and others); the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate); vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc; or didanosine chewable/buffered tablets or pediatric powder for oral solution (ddI, Videx, Videx Pediatric, and others).
• Before using Avelox tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
· heart medicines such as quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan SR), amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), sotalol (Betapace);
· a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), amoxapine (Asendin), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), doxepin (Sinequan);
· warfarin (Coumadin); or
· a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail), and others.
· a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), perphenazine (Trilafon), mesoridazine (Serentil), thioridazine (Mellaril);
· erythromycin (E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, E.E.S.); or
· cisapride (Propulsid).
• You may not be able to use Avelox, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are using any of the medicines listed above.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Avelox. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before using any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Avelox written for health professionals that you may read.
• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. (’Multum̵ ;) is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum’s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum’s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are using, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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