Avelox 400 Mg Film-Coated Tablets
Out of date information, search another
®
Package leaflet: information for the user
Avelox®
400mg film-coated tablets
Active substance: Moxifloxacin
Package leaflet: Information for the patient
Avelox
400mg film-coated tablets
Active substance: Moxifloxacin
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
If you have more questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours. Do not re-use this medicine without medical prescription, even if you want to treat a similar illness.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
What is in this leaflet:_
1. What Avelox is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Avelox
3. How to take Avelox
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Avelox
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Avelox is and what it is used for
Avelox contains the active substance moxifloxacin, which belongs to a group of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. Avelox works by killing bacteria that cause infections.
Avelox is used in patients aged 18 years and above for treating the following bacterial infections when caused by bacteria against which moxifloxacin is active. Avelox should only be used to treat these infections when usual antibiotics cannot be used or have not worked:
Infection of the sinuses, sudden worsening of long term inflammation of the airways or infection of the lungs (pneumonia) acquired outside the hospital (except severe cases).
Mild to moderate infections of the female upper genital tract (pelvic inflammatory disease), including infections of the fallopian tubes and infections of the uterus mucous membrane.
Avelox tablets are not sufficient on their own for treating this kind of infection. Therefore, another antibiotic in addition to Avelox tablets should be prescribed by your doctor for the treatment of infections of the female upper genital tract (see section 2. What you need to know before you take Avelox, Warnings and precautions, Talk to your doctor before taking Avelox).
If the following bacterial infections have shown improvement during initial treatment with Avelox solution for infusion,
Avelox tablets may also be prescribed by your doctor to complete the course of therapy:
Infection of the lungs (pneumonia) acquired outside the hospital, infections of the skin and soft tissue.
Avelox tablets should not be used to initiate therapy for any type of infections of the skin and soft tissue or in severe infections of the lungs.
2. What you need to know before you take Avelox
Contact your doctor if you are not sure if you belong to a patient group described below.
Do not take Avelox
• If you are allergic to the active substance moxifloxacin, any other quinolone antibiotics or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6. Further information).
• If you are pregnant or are breast-feeding.
• If you are under 18 years of age.
• If you have previously had problems with your tendons related to treatment with quinolone antibiotics (see section Warnings and Precautions ... and section 4. Possible side effects).
• If you were born with or have
• any condition with abnormal heart rhythm (seen on ECG, electrical recording of the heart)
• a salt imbalance in the blood (especially low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood)
• a very slow heart rhythm (called ‘bradycardia’)
• a weak heart (heart failure)
• a history of abnormal heart rhythms or
• if you are taking other medicines that result in abnormal ECG changes (see section Other medicines and Avelox). This is because Avelox can cause changes on the ECG, that is a prolongation of the QT-interval, i.e., delayed conduction of electrical signals.
• If you have a severe liver disease or increased liver enzymes (transaminases) higher than 5 times the upper normal limit.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor before taking Avelox
• Avelox can change your heart’s ECG, especially if you are female, or if you are elderly. If you are currently taking any medicine that decreases your blood potassium levels, consult your doctor before taking Avelox (see also sections Do not take and Other medicines and Avelox).
• If you suffer from epilepsy or a condition which makes you likely to have convulsions talk to your doctor before taking Avelox.
• If you have or have ever had any mental health problems, consult your doctor before taking Avelox.
• If you suffer from myasthenia gravis (abnormal muscle fatigue leading to weakness and in serious cases paralysis), taking Avelox may worsen the symptoms of your disease. If you think you are affected consult your doctor immediately.
• If you or any member of your family have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (a rare hereditary disease), tell your doctor, who will advise whether Avelox is suitable for you.
• If you have a complicated infection of the female upper genital tract (e.g. associated with an abscess of the fallopian tubes and ovaries or of the pelvis), for which your doctor considers an intravenous treatment necessary, treatment with Avelox tablets is not appropriate.
• For the treatment of mild to moderate infections of the female upper genital tract your doctor should prescribe another antibiotic in addition to Avelox. If there is no improvement in symptoms after 3 days of treatment, please consult your doctor.
When taking Avelox
• If you experience palpitations or irregular heart beat during the period of treatment, you should inform your doctor immediately. He/she may wish to perform an ECG to measure your heart rhythm.
• The risk of heart problems may increase with increase of the dose. Therefore, the recommended dosage should be followed.
• There is a rare chance that you may experience a severe, sudden allergic reaction (an anaphylactic reaction/shock) even with the first dose. Symptoms include tightness in the chest, feeling dizzy, feeling sick or faint, or dizziness when standing up. If so, stop taking Avelox and seek medical advice immediately.
• Avelox may cause a rapid and severe inflammation of the liver which could lead to life-threatening liver failure (including fatal cases, see section 4. Possible side effects). If you suddenly feel unwell and/or are being sick and also have yellowing of the whites of the eyes, dark urine, itching of the skin, a tendency to bleed or liver induced disease of the brain (symptoms of a reduced liver function or a rapid and severe inflammation of the liver) please contact your doctor before taking any more tablets.
• If you develop a skin reaction or blistering / peeling of the skin and/or mucosal reactions (see section 4. Possible side effects) contact your doctor immediately before you continue treatment.
• Quinolone antibiotics, including Avelox, may cause convulsions. If this happens, stop taking Avelox and contact your doctor immediately.
• You may experience symptoms of neuropathy such as pain, burning, tingling, numbness and/or weakness.
If this happens, inform your doctor immediately prior to continuing treatment with Avelox.
• You may experience mental health problems even when taking quinolone antibiotics, including Avelox, for the first time. In very rare cases depression or mental health problems have led to suicidal thoughts and self-injurious behaviour such as suicide attempts (see section 4. Possible side effects). If you develop such reactions, stop taking Avelox and inform your doctor immediately.
• You may develop diarrhoea whilst or after taking antibiotics including Avelox. If this becomes severe or persistent or you notice that your stool contains blood or mucus you should stop taking Avelox immediately and consult your doctor. You should not take medicines that stop or slow down bowel movement.
• Avelox may cause pain and inflammation of your tendons, even within 48 hours of starting treatment and up to several months after discontinuing Avelox therapy. The risk of inflammation and rupture of tendons is increased if you are elderly or if you are also taking corticosteroids. At the first sign of any pain or inflammation you should stop taking Avelox, rest the affected limb(s) and consult your doctor immediately. Avoid any unnecessary exercise, as this might increase the risk of a tendon rupture (see sections Do not take Avelox... and 4. Possible side effects).
• If you are elderly and have kidney problems make sure that you drink plenty whilst taking Avelox. If you get dehydrated this may increase the risk of kidney failure.
• If your eyesight becomes impaired or if your eyes seem to be affected whilst taking Avelox, consult an eye specialist immediately (see sections Driving and using machines and 4. Possible side effects).
• Quinolone antibiotics may make your skin become more sensitive to sunlight or UV light. You should avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or strong sunlight and should not use a sunbed or any other UV lamp while taking Avelox.
• The efficacy of Avelox in the treatment of severe burns, infections of deep tissue and diabetic foot infections with osteomyelitis (infections of the bone marrow) has not been established.
Children and adolescents
Do not give this medicine to children and adolescents under the age of 18 because efficacy and safety have not been established for this age group (see section Do not take Avelox).
Other medicines and Avelox
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any other medicines that you are taking, took recently or might take.
For Avelox, be aware of the following:
• If you are taking Avelox and other medicines that affect your heart there is an increased risk for altering your heart rhythm. Therefore, do not take Avelox together with the following medicines:
• medicines that belong to the group of anti-arrhythmics (e.g. quinidine, hydroquinidine, disopyramide, amiodarone, sotalol, dofetilide, ibutilide)
• antipsychotics (e.g. phenothiazines, pimozide, sertindole, haloperidol, sultopride)
• tricyclic antidepressants
• some antimicrobials (e.g. saquinavir, sparfloxacin, intravenous erythromycin, pentamidine, antimalarials particularly halofantrine)
• some antihistamines (e.g. terfenadine, astemizole, mizolastine)
• other medicines (e.g. cisapride, intravenous vincamine, bepridil and diphemanil).
• You must tell your doctor if you are taking other medicines that can lower your blood potassium levels (e.g. some diuretics, some laxatives and enemas [high doses] or corticosteroids [anti-inflammatory drugs], amphotericin B) or cause a slow heart rate because these can also increase the risk of serious heart rhythm disturbances while taking Avelox.
• Any medicine containing magnesium or aluminium (such as antacids for indigestion), iron, zinc or didanosine
or any medicine containing sucralfate (to treat stomach disorders) can reduce the action of Avelox tablets. Take your Avelox tablet 6 hours before or after taking the other medicine.
• Taking any medicine containing charcoal at the same time as Avelox tablets reduces the action of Avelox. It is recommended that these medicines are not used together.
• If you are currently taking drugs to thin your blood (oral anti-coagulants such as warfarin), it may be necessary for your doctor to monitor your blood clotting time.
Avelox with food and drink
Avelox can be taken with or without food (including dairy products).
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
Do not take Avelox if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Animal studies do not indicate that your fertility will be impaired by taking this medicine.
Driving and using machines
Avelox may make you feel dizzy or light-headed, you may experience a sudden, transient loss of vision, or you may faint for a short period. If you are affected do not drive or operate machinery.
Avelox contains lactose
If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, speak to your doctor before taking Avelox.
3- How to take Avelox
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
The recommended dose for adults is one 400mg film-coated tablet once daily.
Avelox tablets are for oral use. Swallow the tablet whole (to mask the bitter taste) and with plenty of liquid. You can take Avelox with or without food. Try to take the tablet at approximately the same time each day.
The same dose can be taken by elderly patients, patients with a low bodyweight or in patients with kidney problems.
The time you will take Avelox for depends on your infection. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, your treatment will be as follows:
• for sudden worsening (acute exacerbation) of chronic bronchitis 5-10 days
• for infection of the lungs (pneumonia) except for pneumonia which starts during a stay in hospital 10 days
280x546-16809 15923
• for acute infection of the sinuses (acute bacterial sinusitis) 7 days
• Mild to moderate infections of the female upper genital tract (pelvic inflammatory disease), including infection of the fallopian tubes and infection of the uterus mucous membrane 14 days
When Avelox film-coated tablets are used to complete a course of therapy started with Avelox solution for infusion, the recommended durations of use are:
• Infection of the lungs (pneumonia) acquired outside the hospital 7-14 days
Most patients with pneumonia were switched to oral treatment with Avelox film-coated tablets within 4 days.
• Infections of the skin and soft tissue 7 -21 days
Most patients with infections of the skin and soft tissue were switched to oral treatment with Avelox film-coated tablets within 6 days.
It is important that you complete the course of treatment even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you stop taking Avelox too soon your infection may not be completely cured and the infection may return or your condition may get worse. The bacteria causing your infection may become resistant to Avelox.
The recommended dose and duration of treatment should not be exceeded (see section 2. What you need to know before you take Avelox, Warnings and precautions).
If you take more Avelox than you should
^ If you take more than the prescribed one tablet a day, get medical help immediately.
Try to take any remaining tablets, the packaging or this leaflet with you to show the doctor or pharmacist what you have taken.
If you forget to take Avelox
If you forget to take your tablet you should take it as soon as you remember on the same day. If you do not remember on the same day, take your normal dose (one tablet) on the next day. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you are unsure about what to do ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you stop taking Avelox
If you stop taking this medicine too soon your infection may not be completely cured. Talk to your doctor if you wish to stop taking your tablets before the end of the course of treatment.
If you have any further questions about this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible Side Effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The following side effects have been observed during treatment with Avelox. The frequency of possible side effects listed below is defined using the following convention:
Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people
Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people
Rare: may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people
Very rare: may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people
Cardiac System (see section 2. What you need to know before you take Avelox)
Common: Change of the heart rhythm (ECG) in patients
with low blood potassium level Uncommon: Change of the heart rhythm (ECG),
palpitations, irregular and fast heartbeat, severe heart rhythm abnormalities, chest pain (angina pectoris)
Rare: Abnormal fast heart rhythm, fainting
Very rare: Abnormal heart rhythms, life-threatening
irregular heartbeat, stopping of heartbeat
Common side effects:
• Infections caused by resistant bacteria or fungi, e.g. oral and vaginal infections caused by Candida (thrush)
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Feeling sick (nausea)
• Being sick (vomiting)
• Stomach ache
• Diarrhoea
• Increase of a special liver enzyme in the blood (transaminases)
Uncommon side effects:
• Allergic reaction
• Low red blood cell count (anaemia)
• Low white blood cells count
• Low numbers of special white blood cells (neutrophils)
• Decrease or increase of special blood cells necessary for blood clotting
• Increased specialised white blood cells (eosinophils)
• Decreased blood clotting
• Increased blood lipids (fats)
• Feeling anxious, restless, or agitated
• Tingling sensation (pins and needles) and/or numbness
• Changes in taste (in very rare cases loss of taste)
• Feeling confused and disorientated
• Sleep problems (e.g. sleeplessness or sleepiness)
• Shaking
• Sensation of dizziness (spinning or falling over)
• Problems with vision (including double or blurred vision)
• Widening of the blood vessels (flushing)
• Difficulty in breathing (including asthmatic conditions)
• Decreased appetite and food intake
• Wind and constipation
• Stomach upset (indigestion or heartburn)
• Inflammation of the stomach
• Increase of a special digestive enzyme in the blood (amylase)
• Problems with liver function (including increase of a special liver enzyme in the blood (LDH)), increase of bilirubin in the blood, increase of a special liver enzyme in the blood (gamma-glutamyl-transferase and/or alkaline phosphatase)
• Itching, rash, skin hives, dry skin
• Joint pain, muscle pain
• Dehydration
• Feeling unwell (usually weakness or tiredness), aches and pains such as back, chest, pelvic pains and pains in the extremities
• Sweating.
Rare side effects:
• Severe, sudden allergic reaction including very rarely life-threatening shock (e.g. difficulty in breathing, drop of blood pressure, fast pulse), swelling (including potentially life-threatening swelling of the airway)
• Severe diarrhoea containing blood and/or mucus (antibiotic associated colitis including pseudomembranous colitis), which very rarely, may develop into complications that are life-threatening
• Jaundice (yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin), inflammation of the liver
• Pain and swelling of the tendons (tendonitis)
• Increased blood sugar
• Increased blood uric acid
• Feeling particularly emotional
• Depression (which in very rare cases may lead to self-harm, such as suicidal ideations/thoughts, or suicide attempts)
• Hallucination
• Problems with skin sensations
• Changes in smell (including loss of smell)
• Unusual dreams
• Problems with balance and co-ordination (due to dizziness)
• Convulsions
• Disturbed concentration
• Problems with speech
• Partial or total loss of memory
• Troubles associated with the nervous system such as pain, burning, tingling, numbness and/or weakness in extremities
• Ringing or noise in the ears, hearing impairment including deafness (usually reversible)
• High or low blood pressure
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Inflammation of the mouth
• Muscle cramps or twitching
• Muscle weakness
• Kidney problems (including an increase in special kidney laboratory test results like urea and creatinine), kidney failure
• Swelling (of the hands, feet, ankles, lips, mouth or throat).
Very rare side effects:
• Severe inflammation of the liver potentially leading to life-threatening liver failure (including fatal cases)
• Changes to the skin and mucous membranes (painful blisters in the mouth/nose or at the penis/ vagina), potentially life-threatening (Stevens-Johnson-Syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis)
• Rupture of tendons
• Increased blood clotting, significant decrease of special white blood cells (agranulocytosis)
• A feeling of self-detachment (not being yourself)
• Feeling mentally unwell (potentially leading to self-harm, such as suicidal ideations/thoughts, or suicide attempts)
• Transient loss of vision
• Skin feeling more sensitive
• Inflammation of joints
• Muscles feeling stiff
• Worsening of the symptoms of myasthenia gravis (abnormal muscle fatigue leading to weakness and in serious cases paralysis)
Also, there have been very rare cases of the following side effects reported following treatment with other quinolone antibiotics, which might possibly also occur during treatment with Avelox:
• Increased blood sodium levels
• Increased blood calcium levels
• A special type of reduced red blood cell count (haemolytic anaemia)
• Muscle reactions with muscle cell damage
• Increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight or UV light.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly (see details below). By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
United Kingdom
Yellow Card Scheme
Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard
Malta
ADR Reporting The Medicines Authority Post-Licensing Directorate 203 Level 3, Rue D’Argens GZR-1368 Gzira
Website: www.medicinesauthority.gov.mt e-mail: postlicensing.medicinesauthority@gov.mt
5. How to store Avelox
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the blister and carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.
Do not store above 25°C.
Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6- Contents of the pack and other information
What Avelox contains
• The active substance is moxifloxacin. Each film-coated tablet contains 400mg moxifloxacin as hydrochloride.
• The other ingredients are:
Tablet core: Microcrystalline cellulose, Croscarmellose sodium, Lactose monohydrate (see section Avelox contains lactose) and Magnesium stearate.
Film coating: Hypromellose, Macrogol 4000, Ferric oxide (E172) and Titanium dioxide (E171).
What Avelox looks like and contents of the pack
Each dull red film-coated tablet with an oblong, convex shape with facet and a dimension of 17 x 7 millimeter is marked with “M400” on one side and “BAYER” on the other side.
Avelox is packaged in cartons containing colourless or white opaque polypropylene/aluminium blisters.
Avelox is available in commercial packs containing 5, 7, and 10 film-coated tablets, in hospital packs containing 25, 50 or 70 film-coated tablets and in hospital multipacks comprising 5 cartons, each containing 16 film-coated tablets, or 10 cartons, each containing 10 film-coated tablets.
Avelox is also available in a sample pack of 1 film-coated tablet in a carton containing aluminium/aluminium blisters.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
Marketing Authorisation holder: Bayer pic
Bayer House Strawberry Hill Newbury Berkshire RG141JA United Kingdom
Manufacturer: Bayer Pharma AG
D-51368 Leverkusen Germany
This medicinal product is authorised in the Member States of the EEA under the following names:
Austria: Avelox
Belgium: Avelox
Cyprus: Avelox
Czech Republic: Avelox
Denmark: Avelox
Estonia: Avelox
Finland: Avelox
France: Izilox
Germany: Avalox
Greece: Avelox
Hungary: Avelox
Ireland: Avelox
Italy: Avalox
Latvia: Avelox
Lithuania: Avelox
Luxembourg: Avelox
Malta: Avelox
The Netherlands: Avelox
Poland: Avelox
Portugal: Avelox
Slovak Republic: Avelox
Slovenia: Avelox
Spain: Havelox
Sweden: Avelox
United Kingdom: Avelox
This leaflet was last revised in May 2014
Product Licence Number: PL 00010/0291
Bayer