Moxifloxacin is prescribed for the treatment of bacterial infections. This drug is widely used for treating pneumonia, gastrointestinal infections and a few skin conditions. Its use is recommended for the treatment of plague; in fact, it is also used in the prevention of such infectious conditions. In case of sinus or lung infections – such as bronchitis, this drug may be used when all other options pose limitations or have fetched limited results. It is however not taken when you are living with other medical conditions. This drug may trigger a few undesired side effects or adverse reactions. It is important to understand the likely side effects of moxifloxacin before taking it.
The key function of moxifloxacin rests in its ability to destroy harmful bacterial cells. You need to understand that not all forms of bacteria can cause infections. For instance, probiotic bacteria in your intestines (i.e., gut) can enable better digestion and boost gastric wellbeing. There are however a few harmful bacterial strands; moxifloxacin can kill a wide range of such bacteria. Its treatment range is very wide and is effective against microbial infections on your skin, in the respiratory tract, lungs, abdominal or gastrointestinal tract, etc. Moxifloxacin is categorized under a group of meds called quinolone antibiotics.
As an extended use, moxifloxacin can be administered for some forms of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), tuberculosis or other acute forms of respiratory conditions, inflammation of the valves as well as lining of your cardiac system (clinically known as endocarditis), anthrax, etc. In a few remote instances, this drug can also be used for treating severe episodes of diarrhea and indigestion; these episodes may be due to conditions known as salmonella – especially in those who are living with HIV – AIDS. It is a good practice to talk to your treating doctor about the treatment capabilities of moxifloxacin and about its likely side effects.
Side effects of moxifloxacin
In general, this drug is not known to trigger any major side effects in most people. However, in some users – moxifloxacin may cause a few discomforts. The common side effects include pain in your lower abdomen, other abdominal discomforts like vomiting, cramping of muscles, nausea, indigestion and diarrhea. In a few instances, people have reported side effects like heartburns / acid reflux (GERD) as well as difficulties to pass stools – i.e., constipation. Your doctor may recommend the use of a laxative or stool softeners to ease discharge of stools. You are not advised to take the laxatives or softeners of stools in a regular manner. Daily intake of such drugs may lead to habit formation and other dependencies.
Acute side effects of moxifloxacin
In remote circumstances, this drug may cause some serious side effects. Such serious or acute side effects are rashes on skin, severe spells of itchiness, formation of blisters and other skin conditions. Severe side effects may also show up as an increase in body temperature, soreness of throat, inflammation of facial organs or oral parts, problems faced while swallowing or breathing. In very rare cases, some users have noticed internal bleeding, pains in the back region or neck, loss of coordination, fainting or passing out. As a one-off occurrence, a few have experienced a marked reduction in the quantum of urine discharged.
Intake of moxifloxacin may lead to bone conditions or problems in your tendons – especially among younger adults and children. Teens are more vulnerable to swelling of tissues near their joints. As a safety measure, this drug is never administered to teens or younger adults. Your doctor may never recommend the use of moxifloxacin among children. It is important to ensure that the age of patients is above 19 years prior to starting the medication plan.
Upon experiencing any of these adverse side effects, it is essential to inform your treating physician about it. If you are a resident of the US, call 911 as quickly as possible. You can also reach to the helpline numbers of the food and drug administration (FDA) in the US. If medical attention is needed on an urgent basis, it is recommended to rush to the closest poison control center. People living in any of the Canadian provinces are advised to call Health Canada upon sensing any of the aforesaid adverse side effects. Canadian residents may also consider taking needful medical attention from a poison control unit located in the province where they live.
Likely overdose of moxifloxacin and associated side effects
It is extremely important to adhere to the dosage instructions of your treating doctor. Some people have tried doubling the dosage levels to expedite their treatment process. Taking a double dose of moxifloxacin may only aggravate the condition. People who took such heavy doses witnessed acute respiratory problems like wheezing, gasping or shortened respiratory cycles. An overdose of moxifloxacin may also lead to tremors, shakes, unconsciousness and passing out or fainting. The odds of seizures, epileptic fits or convulsions are also very high. In all such instances, you are advised to seek medical help or clinical attention on an emergency basis. You are advised to call 911 without any delay (if you are in the US) or reach out to Health Canada (if you are living in any of the Canadian provinces).
People living with diabetes mellitus and intake of moxifloxacin
This drug may change your blood sugar level in a significant manner. Hence, those who are living with diabetes mellitus or other blood sugar related conditions have to take needful caution. It is a safe practice to check your blood sugar levels on a daily or regular basis. Any marked changes in blood sugars need to be immediately informed to your treating physician or pharmacist. Your medical team may provide needful treatment to stabilise sugar levels and may offer substitutes or alternative drugs.
Other safety precautions to be observed while taking moxifloxacin
In general, you are advised to tell your doctor about all other pre-existing medical conditions. People who live with heart conditions, renal dysfunction, hepatic problems (such as cirrhosis or hepatitis) as well as prostate or urinary tract related problems need to keep their doctor updated of such conditions. Those who are living with mental conditions like mood swings, depression, anxieties, etc. must keep their doctor informed about such problems.
Prior cardiac conditions and intake of moxifloxacin
In some rare instances, moxifloxacin may trigger a condition called prolongation of the QT cycle of heartbeats; this shows up as erratic beating of the heart. Conditions like slower rate of heartbeat, cardiac failures or other heart conditions need to be informed to your treating physician. Those who are using diuretics or water pills may be at an added risk of lowering their magnesium as well as potassium levels. The chances of a cardiac condition are very likely when water pills are taken along with moxifloxacin.
Apart from the intake of diuretics or water pills, you may also need to be careful if you are sweating profusely or vomiting incessantly. In general, excessive loss of body fluids – including diarrhea – may cause a significant drop in electrolytes like magnesium, potassium, sodium, etc. In all such instances, co-administration of moxifloxacin may further elongate your QT cycle. As a broader safety measure, if your family’s clinical history includes sudden deaths due to cardiac failure, you need to talk to your treating doctor or pharmacist about the intake of moxifloxacin.
Turning extra sensitive to sunlight
Moxifloxacin may make you more sensitive to the rays of the morning or afternoon sun. Your treating physician may tell you to step out of your home after wearing needful protective gear such as sunglasses, sunscreen and protective garments – especially, those with longer sleeves. It is also a safe practice to stay away from sunlamps as well as tanning-booths.
Last but not least, elderly patients as well as children (including younger adults) may turn more vulnerable to this drug’s side effects. Among older people, it may trigger problems in the tendons, sudden breakage or a tear in their arterial vessel. The risks of tendonitis are more pronounced when moxifloxacin is taken with steroids – especially, meds based on corticosteroids. In children, this antibiotic drug can trigger tendonitis / inflammation of tissues adjoining bones as well as other joint related conditions. Those who are opting for a surgical procedure must tell their surgeon about intake of moxifloxacin prior to a dental or surgical intervention. As this drug may cause dizziness, it can react with anesthetic drugs and can take you to deeper spells of unconsciousness.
Women who are already pregnant or those who are planning to become pregnant must tell their doctor about their condition. Moxifloxacin is generally administered onto pregnant women only if there is an acute need for this drug. In all other cases, pregnant women are advised to avoid taking it. Also, women who are breastfeeding an infant must take added precautions. Studies are actively underway to know if the active ingredients of moxifloxacin pass through mother’s milk. It is a safe practice to talk to your treating doctor if you are nursing a baby or breastfeeding.
In sum, moxifloxacin may cause a few minor side effects such as nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, vomiting as well as stomach pain. These are considered as minor side effects. Most of these side effects may disappear once your system gets used to the ingredients of moxifloxacin. However, if any one or more of these side effects persist for long, you need to quickly talk to your treating physician or pharmacist.