Avelox

Moxifloxacin, an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, is sold under the brand name Avelox. Avelox is a member of the fluoroquinolone antibiotic family. The antibiotics ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), and ofloxacin (Floxin) are also members of this class. The FDA granted Avelox its approval in 1999.

A number of bacterial infections can be treated with the antibiotic avelox. It belongs to the family of antibiotics known as quinolones, which suppress the activity of enzymes necessary for DNA replication. Avelox works well against a variety of bacteria, including those that cause skin infections, urinary tract infections, and infections of the respiratory tract. Additionally, tuberculosis is occasionally treated with it.

It's crucial to follow your doctor's instructions and finish the prescribed dosage of Avelox if it was prescribed to you for an infection. Even if your symptoms get better, your body may still contain bacteria that could make the infection recur. The bacteria may develop an antibiotic resistance if you stop taking Avelox before the course of treatment is finished, making it more challenging to treat in the future.

Avelox is a potent antibiotic that works well for treating many different bacterial infections. To prevent potentially harmful side effects, it's crucial to only use it as prescribed by your doctor.

Pharmacokinetics

Avelox is administered orally and is quickly and completely absorbed. Within one to two hours, the peak plasma concentration is attained. Avelox has been found in all body tissues and fluids that have been examined, including cerebrospinal fluid, saliva, and bronchial secretions. It is widely distributed throughout the body. Avelox has concentrations in sputum that are comparable to those in serum, and it penetrates the respiratory secretions well.

A major method of removing avelox from the body is through hepatic metabolism using cytochrome P450 3A4 enzymes, followed by biliary excretion of metabolites. Within 24 hours, 80% of an oral Avelox dose is recovered in the urine as parent drug or metabolites. Avelox has an average elimination half-life of 11.1 hours.

Indications and Usage

Patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) brought on by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or Bacteroides fragilis may also benefit from the use of Avelox.

Avelox should only be used to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be brought on by susceptible bacteria in order to prevent the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the efficacy of Avelox and other antibacterial medications. When culture and susceptibility data are available, they should be taken into account when choosing or altering an antibacterial treatment plan. Local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may help with the empiric selection of therapy in the absence of such data.

Side Effects

The most typical side effects of Avelox are headaches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Dizziness, lightheadedness, and uncommon but serious issues like tendon rupture or allergic reactions are additional potential side effects. Avelox should be stopped immediately and you should see a doctor if you experience any serious side effects.

Along with other drugs, Avelox might interact with others. Tell your doctor about all of the drugs you take, including vitamins, herbal supplements, prescription drugs, and over-the-counter drugs.

Dosage and Administration

Avelox should be administered 400 mg once daily for seven days to patients with pneumonia, according to the recommended dosage. 400 mg once daily for 10 days is the recommended dosage for patients with acute bacterial sinusitis.

The recommended dosage for patients with infections of the skin and skin structure is 400 mg once daily for 7–14 days. 400 mg once daily for 5–9 days is the recommended dosage for the treatment of patients with cIAI.

A minimum of one hour before or two hours after a meal, Avelox should be taken on an empty stomach. Take Avelox exactly as directed by your doctor to prevent any gastrointestinal side effects.

Absent a medical prescription, never skip a dose or stop taking Avelox early.

Missed dose

Take the missed Avelox dose as soon as you remember if you forget to take it. Skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time if it is almost time for your next dose. Never take two Avelox doses at the same time.

Storage

Avelox must be kept between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C) at room temperature. Keep Avelox and all other medications away from children.