Avelox

What is Avelox

Avelox is an antibiotic in the class of drugs called fluoroquinolones. It fights bacteria in the body.

Avelox is used to treat bacterial infections including pneumonia, sinusitis, and worsening of chronic bronchitis.

Avelox may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

General medical information about Avelox

Take all of the Avelox that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated.

Do not take Avelox without first talking to your doctor if you or any member of your family have a heart condition known as prolongation of the QT interval. Also, do not take Avelox if you are being treated for heart rhythm disturbances with drugs such as quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute, others), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan SR, others), amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone, others), sotalol (Betapace), and others.

Take Avelox at least 4 hours before or 8 hours after antacids that contain magnesium, calcium, or aluminum (e.g., Tums, Rolaids, Maalox, others); the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate); vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc; or didanosine chewable/buffered tablets or pediatric powder for oral solution (ddI, Videx, Videx Pediatric, others). These medicines may decrease the effectiveness of Avelox.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Avelox may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.

What you should find out before taking Avelox

Before taking Avelox, tell your doctor if you have:
- a low level of potassium in your blood;
- a slow heart rate;
- heart disease;
- liver disease; or
- epilepsy or another seizure disorder.

You may not be able to take Avelox or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment.

Avelox is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Avelox will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take Avelox without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

It is unknown whether Avelox passes into breast milk. Do not take Avelox without first talking to your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.

Avelox is not approved for use by children younger than 18 years old.

How should take Avelox

Take Avelox exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each oral dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Drink plenty of fluid while taking Avelox.

Avelox can be taken with or without food.

Avelox is usually taken once a day. Take each dose at the same time every day. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Avelox may also be given by a healthcare provider by intravenous (IV) infusion.

Take all of the Avelox that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated.

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose:

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if you overdose:

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a Avelox overdose include seizures, poor coordination, tremors, sleepiness, vomiting and diarrhea.

Avoid while taking Avelox

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Although it has not been reported with the use of Avelox, other similar medicines have caused increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Severe sunburn has resulted, even with minimal sun exposure. If exposure to the sun is unavoidable while taking Avelox, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Call your doctor if you experience severe burning, redness, itching, rash, or swelling after exposure to the sun.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Avelox may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.

Possible side effects of Avelox

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Avelox and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- irregular or rapid heartbeats;
- fainting;
- seizures;
- liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue);
- muscle or joint pain; or
- skin rash.

If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue taking Avelox and talk to your doctor:
- nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea;
- dizziness;
- headache; or
- increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Avelox

Do not take Avelox without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
- the heart medicines quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute, others), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan SR, others), amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone, others), sotalol (Betapace), and others;
- a tricyclic antidepressant including amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), amoxapine (Asendin), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), doxepin (Sinequan), and others;
- a phenothiazine including chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), perphenazine (Trilafon), mesoridazine (Serentil), thioridazine (Mellaril), and others;
- erythromycin (E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, E.E.S., others); or
- cisapride (Propulsid).

Avelox and the drugs listed above may affect the rhythm of your heartbeats. You may not be able to take Avelox, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Before taking Avelox, tell your doctor if you are taking:
- warfarin (Coumadin); or
- a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail), and others.

You may not be able to take Avelox, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Avelox. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.