Accumulation of fluids inside your lungs can be an outcome of an infection. Such infections can make it difficult to inhale and exhale. You may need to strain a lot in order to supply needful amount of oxygen for your whole body. Such a condition may occur in any age group; very young people – as young as 2 years to people aged above 60 years may get it. At a very young age or at an extremely old age, your immunity levels may be so weak and you may be more vulnerable. This condition is called as pneumonia. But, can you use antibiotic drugs such as moxifloxacin for pneumonia such infections in your respiratory system?
Pneumonia can be triggered by bacterial or viral attacks. A few types of lung infections may also be caused by fungi. It can show up through many types of symptoms. However, not all symptoms are the same. The signs may vary based on the cause that triggered pneumonia, other pre-existing medical conditions – if any, your gender as well as age. This condition may not occur all of a sudden; instead, it takes a few days to develop.
Typical signs of pneumonia are spells of coughing with discharge of mucus or phlegm, painful coughing episodes, abdominal problems like indigestion, vomiting, nausea, etc. and respiratory troubles such as wheezing or gasping. In some rare cases, people may live with pneumonia without knowing that they have it. Such conditions are called as walking pneumonia.
Use of moxifloxacin for pneumonia
Moxifloxacin is an antibiotic medication. It is grouped under a category of drugs called quinolone antibiotics. Moxifloxacin is known to work against several types of infections, including those in the respiratory tract. Its curative properties to work against pathogenic organisms like Streptococcus pneumoniae (also known as S. pneumoniae) are proven and time-tested. In fact, this drug belongs to the 4th generation of fluoroquinolone; this makes moxifloxacin more robust to work against a wide range of pathogenic strains. This drug is capable of handling bacterial strains which elude conventional antimicrobial drugs like penicillin, a few other forms of fluoroquinolones or quinolone antibiotics and macrolide genre of antibiotics. The therapeutic range of this drug includes treatment of chronic spells of bronchitis, community-acquired variants of pneumonia (CAP) as well as sinusitis triggered by bacterial attacks.
Moxifloxacin is effective against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. It helps segregate the DNA of bacteria and stops further growth of the microbe. Owing to a wider range of treatment options, this drug ranks in the top 500 drugs that are most commonly prescribed in the US. Always remember that this drug is prescribed only when other treatment approaches have failed to yield needful results. On the other hand, this drug may not be effective against conditions like common cold, viral attacks such as flu or runny nose. Those who use moxifloxacin for such viral infections may soon develop tolerances and may eventually reduce the drug’s efficacy in a significant manner.
Safer intake of moxifloxacin for pneumonia
In general, this drug is taken orally. Dosages are administered either before or after a meal. Typical dose is once per day. Duration plan may last for 4 days to 14 days (2 weeks). In a few cases of extreme infections, doses are continued for as high as 3 weeks (21 days). No two people are usually prescribed with the same medication plan. Strength of doses may depend on the severity of bacterial infections and your overall medical condition.
You are advised to read all the instructions listed on the label prior to starting the medication plan. It is a safe practice to take this drug at the same timeslot each day. You may witness some positive results in the first few days – i.e., soon after starting your dosages. But, you are advised not to stop the doses. You need to continue taking this drug till your physician tells you to discontinue.
Added precautions to be taken
People who are allergic to antibiotics such as moxifloxacin or other quinolone antibiotics must tell their doctor about such allergies. Keep your medical team informed if you are hypersensitive to fluoroquinolones like levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, etc. It is equally important to make a list of drugs that you are currently taking. Ensure to include drugs such as prescription meds, over the counter drugs, herbal or dietary supplements, vitamins, etc. to this list. If any of your current treatment plans include intake of water pills (also known as diuretics), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen, ibuprofen, etc., antipsychotic drugs and tricyclic antidepressants, your medical team needs to know about them.
Those who live with a chronic build-up of acidity and are taking antacids may also need to be careful. It is because – most antacid medications may contain magnesium; you may need to separate these drugs for at least 9 hours after intake or for 5 hours before intake.
Women who are planning to become pregnant or those who are already pregnant need added caution. While you are using moxifloxacin, it is a safe practice to use birth control measures such as pills, vaginal rings, patches, etc. Reach out to your doctor quickly if you have become pregnant while using this drug. The effects of this drug on breastfeeding mothers are not fully evidenced. You are advised to talk to your treating physician if you are nursing a baby.
Other safety measures include – avoid performing tasks that may need high level of concentration or mental focus. For instance, you need to avoid doing activities like working a heavy machinery, driving, etc. It is unsafe to get exposed to excessive levels of sunlight. This is because moxifloxacin can make your skin hypersensitive to sun’s rays. Whenever you step out, always care to wear a sunscreen and also ensure to wear protective clothing like hats or long sleeves as well as sunglasses.
In sum, moxifloxacin is used in the treatment of bronchitis, community-acquired variants of pneumonia (CAP) and for treating sinusitis. This drug is known to be effective against gram-negative and gram-positive strands of bacteria. However, this drug is used only when other treatment options yield limited or no results. It is important to remember that moxifloxacin is not effective against viral attacks that show up as flu, common cold or runny nose. Usage of this drug for viral or fungal attacks may lessen its efficacy levels to a considerable level. Talk to your physician or pharmacist to know the doses needed to treat respiratory conditions like pneumonia or bronchitis.
Education: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from New York University. Experience: 5 years of experience writing for physiotherapy and sports medicine blogs, providing expert insights on injury prevention and rehabilitation.
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