Moxifloxacin is an antibiotic agent that belongs to the subgroup of fluoroquinolones. Specifically, the drug belongs to the fourth-generation fluoroquinolones. Fluoroquinolones are antibiotic gyrase inhibitors and are suitable for the treatment of various diseases and conditions. The drug is to be used only after prescription by a doctor.
What is moxifloxacin?
The drug moxifloxacin belongs to the group of active substances called antibiotics. It inhibits the so-called gyrase. Moxifloxacin is available in the medical trade under various names, as it is marketed by various pharmaceutical manufacturers. Known monopreparations of moxifloxacin are, for example, Avalox, Vigamox, Actira and Avelon. In addition, various generics of the active ingredient moxifloxacin exist. From a chemical perspective, the drug moxifloxacin is a substance whose melting point is in the range between 204 and 208 degrees Celsius. The prerequisite for this is that the substance is present in its pure form. However, if moxifloxacin is a hydrochloride, the melting point is approximately 325 degrees Celsius.
Pharmacologic action
The drug moxifloxacin is characterized by a typical mechanism of action and for this reason is suitable for the treatment of very specific pathogens. Basically, the active substance moxifloxacin is an antibiotic. The molecules of the substance moxifloxacin bind to a special enzyme. This is the so-called gyrase, which, as a result of the action of moxifloxacin, no longer influences the DNA. This results in the death of the corresponding bacterial cell. The active ingredient moxifloxacin belongs to the so-called quinolones and thus impairs the formation of DNA in bacteria. In principle, the mechanism of action of moxifloxacin is very similar to that of other fluoroquinolones. One difference is that the substance moxifloxacin binds to two topoisomerases. As a result, the drug attacks at two different sites. In principle, all types of quinolones bind the enzyme gyrase, so that the enzyme is inhibited and unable to exert its effect. By binding to gyrase, fluoroquinolones form relatively stable compounds. These are capable of initiating numerous different enzymatic reactions. Some of these reactions ultimately cause the bacterial cell to die.
Medical application and use
The drug moxifloxacin is used in connection with the treatment of various diseases. In the first line, the drug is administered either orally as a tablet or intravenously. Appropriate injection solutions or infusions are available for this purpose. In principle, the drug moxifloxacin is effective primarily against so-called anaerobic and gram-positive pathogens. Use of the drug moxifloxacin is indicated for numerous different diseases and complaints. These include, for example, bronchitis that is chronic and progressively worsens. The drug has also proven effective in the treatment of sinusitis and infections of the skin. Pneumonia, soft tissue infections and diabetic foot syndrome can also be treated with the antibiotic moxifloxacin. The drug shows good efficacy against numerous pathogens, for example against mycoplasma and legionella. In the case of bronchitis or inflammation of the paranasal sinuses (sinusitis), the use of the drug moxifloxacin is only indicated if other antibiotics have already been administered and the health of the affected patient has still not improved. This is because moxifloxacin may be associated with significant side effects in the corresponding diseases. Moxifloxacin is also suitable for the treatment of pneumonia and complicated infections on the skin and soft tissue. In addition, the drug helps against chlamydia and other atypical pathogens. In addition, the drug is very effective against Moraxella catarrhalis and Haemophilus influenzae. Moxifloxacin also shows high efficacy against pneumococci. However, the drug is ineffective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Risks and side effects
Taking moxifloxacin may be associated with various unwanted side effects and discomforts that vary from person to person and depending on the individual case.Common side effects caused by the active ingredient include disturbances of the digestive tract, which manifest themselves, for example, in vomiting, diarrhea or nausea. In addition, drowsiness and headaches are possible while taking the drug. A feared complication is so-called superinfections caused by resistant fungi or bacteria. QT prolongation is also possible, which carries the risk of serious cardiac arrhythmias. This occurs mainly in the presence of hypokalemia and elevated liver values. Psychiatric symptoms or changes in the blood count are much less common as a result of the drug moxifloxacin. Occasionally, allergic reactions to the active substance occur. In very rare cases, severe hepatitis occurs, which can lead to liver failure with a life-threatening course. Bullous reactions on the skin, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, also show up in some cases. In addition, epidermal necrolysis is possible. Due to the numerous potential side effects of the drug moxifloxacin, it is currently only administered in cases where other antibiotics have shown no effect. If any undesirable side effects occur while taking moxifloxacin, consult a physician immediately.
