What is moxifloxacin?

Moxifloxacin hydrochloride is a synthetic antibacterial agent for oral administration. Moxifloxacin, a fluoroquinolone, is available as the monohydrochloride salt of 1-cyclopropyl-7-[(S,S)-2,8-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-8-yl]-6-fluoro-8-methoxy-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-3 quinoline carboxylic acid. It is a slightly yellow to yellow powder or crystals, slightly hygroscopic substance with a molecular weight of 437.9. Its molecular formula is C 21 H 24 FN 3 O 4 *HCl and its chemical structure is as follows: Structure 11.1 Moxifloxacin Tablets, USP Moxifloxacin tablets, USP are available as film-coated tablets containing 400 mg moxifloxacin (equivalent to 436.33 mg moxifloxacin hydrochloride USP). The inactive ingredients are hypromellose, iron oxide red, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, povidone, sodium starch glycolate, and titanium dioxide.

What kind of drug is moxifloxacin?

The FDA classifies moxifloxacin as a fluoroquinolone antibacterial. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take moxifloxacin with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run moxifloxacin against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is moxifloxacin sold under?

We track 3 moxifloxacin-containing products in the U.S.: Avelox, Avelox in Sodium Chloride 0.8% in Plastic Container and Vigamox. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does moxifloxacin come in?

Across the brands we track, moxifloxacin is currently marketed as tablet, solution and drops, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic moxifloxacin?

We do not currently list a generic-labelled moxifloxacin product. That does not always mean none exists — it means none appears under a generic name in the FDA data we track. Ask your pharmacist.

Has moxifloxacin been recalled?

The FDA's Enforcement database lists at least 5 recall records whose product description mentions moxifloxacin. The most recent: Tri-Moxi+¿ (Triamcinolone 9mg/0.6mL (Dec 18, 2025). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.

Moxifloxacin: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Moxifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial sold in the U.S. under 3 brand and generic names, for bacteroides infections, bronchitis and cystitis. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial
Treats: Bacteroides Infections, Bronchitis and Cystitis
Available as: Tablet · Solution · Drops
Sold as: 3 products — Avelox, Avelox in Sodium Chloride 0.8% in Plastic Container and Vigamox
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Not in our catalog
Typical price: about $2 for a 30-count supply
Boxed warning: Boxed warning

How moxifloxacin is dosed

From the FDA label for Avelox (application NDA021085). Other moxifloxacin products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Type of Infection Dose Every 24 hours Duration (days) Community Acquired Pneumonia ( 1.1 ) 400 mg 7 to 14 Uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections (SSSI) ( 1.2 ) 400 mg 7 Complicated SSSI ( 1.3 ) 400 mg 7 to 21 Complicated Intra-Abdominal Infections ( 1.4 ) 400 mg 5 to 14 Plague ( 1.5 ) 400 mg 10 to 14 Acute Bacterial Sinusitis ( 1.6 ) 400 mg 10 Acute Bacterial Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis ( 1.7 ) 400 mg 5 No dosage adjustment in patients with renal or hepatic impairment. ( 8.6 , 8.7 ) 2.1 Dosage in Adult Patients The dose of moxifloxacin is 400 mg (orally) once every 24 hours. The duration of therapy depends on the type of infection as described in Table 1. Table 1: Dosage and Duration of Therapy in Adult Patients a) Due to the designated pathogens [see Indications and Usage (1) ] . b) Sequential therapy (intravenous to oral) may be instituted at the discretion of the physician c) Drug administration should begin as soon as possible after suspected or confirmed exposure to Yersinia pestis . Type of Infection a Dose Every 24 hours Duration b (days) Community Acquired Pneumonia ( 1.1 ) 400 mg 7 to 14 Uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections (SSSI) ( 1.2 ) 400 mg 7 Complicated SSSI ( 1.3 ) 400 mg 7 to 21 Complicated Intra-Abdominal Infections ( 1.4 ) 400 mg 5 to 14 Plague ( 1.5 ) C 400 mg 10 to 14 Acute Bacterial Sinusitis (ABS) ( 1.6 ) 400 mg 10 Acute…

Moxifloxacin side effects

The following serious and otherwise important adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in the warnings and precautions section of the label: Disabling and Potentially Irreversible Serious Adverse Reactions Including Tendinitis and Tendon Rupture, Peripheral Neuropathy, and Central Nervous System Effects [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Tendinitis and Tendon Rupture [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Peripheral Neuropathy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Central Nervous System Effects [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Exacerbation of Myasthenia Gravis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] QT Prolongation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Other Serious and Sometimes Fatal Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Risk of Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Clostridioides difficile -Associated Diarrhea [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] Blood Glucose Disturbances [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12) ] Photosensitivity/Phototoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13) ] Development of Drug Resistant Bacteria [see Warnings and Precautions (5.14) ] Most common reactions (3% or greater) were nausea, diarrhea, headache, and dizziness. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc. at 1-866-850-2876 or FDA at…

Moxifloxacin and food

Dairy, calcium, iron & antacids
Separate the antibiotic from dairy, supplements, and antacids by a couple of hours — take it at the interval the label or your pharmacist specifies.
Tetracycline — MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) ↗

Every moxifloxacin product we track (3)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Moxifloxacin products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Avelox Boxed warning	Not yet rated	Prescription	Tablet	Generic	$2	View →
2	Avelox in Sodium Chloride 0.8% in Plastic Container

What moxifloxacin pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Moxifloxacin pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
E;18	400 mg	red	capsule	—
E;18	400 mg	red	capsule	—
E;18	400 mg	red	capsule	—

Moxifloxacin recalls

From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.

Frequently asked questions

What is moxifloxacin?: Moxifloxacin hydrochloride is a synthetic antibacterial agent for oral administration. Moxifloxacin, a fluoroquinolone, is available as the monohydrochloride salt of 1-cyclopropyl-7-[(S,S)-2,8-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-8-yl]-6-fluoro-8-methoxy-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-3 quinoline carboxylic acid. It is a slightly yellow to yellow powder or crystals, slightly hygroscopic substance with a molecular weight of 437.9. Its molecular formula is C 21 H 24 FN 3 O 4 *HCl and its chemical structure is as follows: Structure 11.1 Moxifloxacin Tablets, USP Moxifloxacin tablets, USP are available as film-coated tablets containing 400 mg moxifloxacin (equivalent to 436.33 mg moxifloxacin hydrochloride USP). The inactive ingredients are hypromellose, iron oxide red, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, povidone, sodium starch glycolate, and titanium dioxide.
What kind of drug is moxifloxacin?: The FDA classifies moxifloxacin as a fluoroquinolone antibacterial. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take moxifloxacin with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run moxifloxacin against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is moxifloxacin sold under?: We track 3 moxifloxacin-containing products in the U.S.: Avelox, Avelox in Sodium Chloride 0.8% in Plastic Container and Vigamox. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does moxifloxacin come in?: Across the brands we track, moxifloxacin is currently marketed as tablet, solution and drops, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.