Antibiotics
MoxifloxacinMoxifloxacin hydrochloride
Moxifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic sold as a once-daily 400 mg tablet for pneumonia and skin, abdominal and sinus infections, and as Vigamox and generic eye drops for bacterial conjunctivitis. Avelox tablets and Moxeza drops are discontinued, and only the tablets carry a boxed warning.
This page is general information about a medication and how cash prices for it are set. It is not medical advice and does not replace the label, your prescriber or your pharmacist. How we handle medical information
Avelox and Moxeza are discontinued; the tablets and Vigamox-type drops have several generic makers, and the twice-daily drops are generic.
About Moxifloxacin
Moxifloxacin kills bacteria by blocking enzymes they need to copy their DNA. The tablets treat community-acquired pneumonia, skin infections, complicated abdominal infections, plague, sinusitis and bronchitis flare-ups, for 5 to 21 days. Unlike levofloxacin, it is not labeled for urinary infections, needs no dose change for kidney problems and is not used under 18. An injection is used in hospitals.
The boxed warning covers disabling and possibly permanent tendon rupture, nerve damage and brain effects, which can occur together, and worsening of myasthenia gravis. The label reserves it for sinusitis and bronchitis flare-ups only when nothing else will do. Tendon risk is higher over 60, with steroids, after a kidney, heart or lung transplant and with strenuous activity. It also prolongs the QT interval, so it is avoided with QT prolongation, a markedly slow heart rate, uncorrected low potassium or magnesium, and certain heart rhythm drugs.
Nausea, diarrhea, headache and dizziness are common. Other warnings cover aortic aneurysm, blood sugar swings, allergic reactions, sun sensitivity and C. difficile diarrhea.
The eye drops have no boxed warning. Vigamox, still sold by Harrow Eye, and its generics are used three times a day for 7 days; a twice-daily formula first sold as Moxeza now exists only as a generic. Check which one the prescription names.
Taking Moxifloxacin
- How to take it
- Tablets: once a day at about the same time, with or without food, with plenty of fluids, for the full course. Drops: one drop three times a day for 7 days (Vigamox and its generics) or twice a day for 7 days (the twice-daily generic). Avoid contact lenses while the eye looks infected, and do not let the dropper tip touch any surface.
- If you miss a dose
- Take a missed tablet when you remember, unless the next dose is less than 8 hours away; then skip it. Do not take a double dose.
- Storage
- Tablets at room temperature, tightly closed, away from excess heat and moisture. Vigamox can be kept between 36 and 77°F (2 and 25°C).
- Interactions to know about
- Take the tablet at least 4 hours before or 8 hours after antacids with magnesium or aluminum, sucralfate, iron, zinc and didanosine. Quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone and sotalol are avoided. It can strengthen warfarin, so INR is checked, and diabetes medicines need closer blood sugar checks. Avoid unnecessary sun and do not drive until you know how it affects you. Stop the drops and call your prescriber at the first sign of a rash or allergic reaction.
This summarizes the official prescribing information. Your prescriber’s and pharmacist’s instructions, and the leaflet that comes with your medicine, take priority.
Why the cash price for Moxifloxacin differs from pharmacy to pharmacy
Generic tablets come from several makers and a course is short, so quotes differ mainly by dispensing fee and mark-up; a pharmacy that seldom dispenses moxifloxacin may need to order it.
Vigamox-type drops also have several generic makers, but a prescription for Vigamox with substitution blocked is quoted at the brand price. The twice-daily drops have fewer makers, and switching formulas is the prescriber’s decision.
Upload it and licensed pharmacies reply with their own cash price. You pay the pharmacy, not us.
Ways to pay less for Moxifloxacin without insurance
- Ask whether moxifloxacin tablets are on the pharmacy’s flat-price antibiotic list.
- For the eye drops, ask the prescriber to allow a generic rather than Vigamox by name.
- If the drops prescribed are out of stock, ask whether the other formula would suit you.
- For sinusitis or a bronchitis flare-up, ask whether another antibiotic would work.
- Upload the prescription to Script Unlock so licensed pharmacies can quote their cash price. You pay the pharmacy directly.
How Script Unlock gets you a cash price for Moxifloxacin
Prices on this site come from pharmacies responding to a real prescription. We do not publish estimated, average or "typical" prices, because none of those would be your price.
- 1You upload your prescription
A photo of your Moxifloxacin prescription is enough. Nothing is sold on the site; you are asking pharmacies to quote.
- 2Licensed pharmacies respond
Pharmacies that Script Unlock has verified see the request and each can reply with its own cash price for your exact drug, strength and quantity.
- 3You choose and pay the pharmacy
You compare the responses, pick a pharmacy, and pay that pharmacy directly when you collect. Script Unlock never takes a patient payment and never sets the price.
Questions to ask your pharmacist about Moxifloxacin
- 1.How far apart from antacids, iron, zinc or my multivitamin should I take it?
- 2.Is it safe with my heart rhythm medicine, blood thinner or diabetes medicine?
- 3.Which tendon, nerve or mood symptoms mean I should stop and call?
- 4.Are these the three-times-daily or twice-daily drops?
Related medications
Sources
Script Unlock is a marketplace that lets licensed pharmacies quote a cash price on your prescription. It does not prescribe, dispense or sell medication, does not process patient payments, and does not give medical advice. Always follow the instructions of your prescriber and pharmacist and read the medication guide supplied with your medicine.