What It Is
Moxifloxacin belongs to a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. It is available as tablets, an injection, and as eye drops.
What It's Used For
Moxifloxacin tablets and injections are generally used for bacterial infections of the lungs and sinuses, the skin, and the abdomen, and as a second-line option in tuberculosis. Moxifloxacin eye drops are used for bacterial conjunctivitis and are commonly used to prevent infection after eye surgery, such as cataract surgery.
How It Works
Moxifloxacin blocks two enzymes that bacteria need to copy and repair their DNA, called DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. Without them, the bacteria cannot multiply and die. It works against a wide range of bacteria.
History and Regulatory Status
Moxifloxacin was developed in the 1990s and came into medical use around 1999. It is a prescription medicine. Because fluoroquinolones can rarely cause serious side effects, such as tendon damage and nerve problems, regulators advise using the tablets only when other antibiotics are not suitable. The eye drops carry much less risk of these effects.