Clinical medicine profile
Moxifloxacin
Fluoroquinolone antibiotic
- Route
- ORAL / IV
- Schedule
- POM
- ATC
- Not assigned
- PPB status
- registered
Safety essentials
The information most likely to change a prescribing or dispensing decision.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to quinolones.
- History of quinolone-related tendon disorder.
- Avoid in myasthenia gravis (exacerbation).
- Generally avoid in children/adolescents except specific labelled indications.
- Caution pregnancy/lactation — prefer alternatives when possible.
Precautions
- Quinolones should be used with caution in children with a history of epilepsy or conditions that predispose to seizures, in G6PD deficiency, myasthenia gravis (risk of exacerbation).
- Exposure to excessive sunlight should be avoided (discontinue if photosensitivity occurs).
- Quinolones may induce convulsions in patients with or without a history of convulsions
- taking NSAIDs at the same time may also induce them.
- May cause arthropathy in the weight-bearing joints of immature animals and are therefore generally not recommended in children and growing adolescents.
- However, the significance of this effect in humans is uncertain and in some specific circumstances short-term use of a quinolone in children is justified.
- Should be avoid in pregnancy and lactation.
Dosing matrix
Population and organ-function guidance, shown together for faster comparison.
It may be given orally, or by intravenous infusion over 60 minutes. Usual dose is 400mg once daily.
See label paediatric section if present; otherwise use paediatric formulary — do not extrapolate adult doses.
Many agents need CrCl-based adjustment (e.g. ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin).
- CrCl 0–120: Confirm renal dosing in product SmPC / primary label.
Hepatotoxicity uncommon but reported; moxifloxacin has more hepatic clearance.
Use, effects & interactions
Indications
- E.N.T., UTI, RTI, skin and soft tissues, bone, joint, GI, intra-abdominal, pelvic and severe infections, gonorrhea.
- Clinical selection for Moxifloxacin should follow culture results where relevant, Kenya STG/EML recommendations, and the current product SmPC.
- Class context: Fluoroquinolone antibiotic.
- Confirm site-specific dose, duration and monitoring before prescribing.
Adverse effects
- GI disturbances, dizziness, headache, tremor, confusion, convulsions, rashes, blurred vision, psychotic reactions, impaired vision, impaired taste and smell sensation, stevens-johnson syndrome, hot flushes, skin rashes, migraine, photosensitivity.
Drug interactions
Open multi-drug checker ↗- FDA boxed warning: moxifloxacin has been shown to prolong the QT interval of the ECG in some patients.
- Moxifloxacin is key in the treatment of MDR-TB and in patients who are not able to tolerate the standard TB treatment regimen.
Mechanism & disposition
Interferes with bacterial DNA synthesis by inhibiting topoisomerase II [DNA gyrase] and topoisomerase IV.
Read complete mechanism
Interferes with bacterial DNA synthesis by inhibiting topoisomerase II [DNA gyrase] and topoisomerase IV. Fluoroquinolones inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase (topoisomerase II) and topoisomerase IV, blocking DNA replication and transcription. Bactericidal concentration-dependent killing with a post-antibiotic effect.
1–2 hours oral
12–24 hours (agent-dependent)
ORAL / IV
including prostate and bone (agent-dependent). Renal and/or hepatic clearance varies by agent — adjust dose in organ impairment as labelled.
Pregnancy, lactation & diet
Generally avoid unless no safer alternative; animal arthropathy concerns and limited human data for many agents.
Often avoided or used short-term with caution; check agent-specific guidance.
Brands & loaded prices
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | Observed price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FLOXSAFE 400 | MSN Laboratories Private Limited | Tablet | Unavailable |
| MOCIN | Abacus Pharma (A) Ltd | Eye Drops, Solution | Unavailable |
| Mosi Eye Drops | FDC Limited | Eye Drops | Unavailable |
| MOXIBACT | KRISHNA CHEMISTS LTD | Eye Drops | Unavailable |
| ONAMOX EYE DROPS | DAWA LIMITED | Eye Drops | Unavailable |
| Sea-Mox 400mg Tablet | THE SEARLE COMPANY LTD | Tablet 400mg | Unavailable |
Sources & review state
Decision support only. Confirm patient-specific decisions against the current product SmPC, Kenya STG/EML, and professional judgement.