Moxifloxacin

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Jul 13, 2023

Warnings

Moxifloxacin (Vigamox) Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Moxifloxacin ophthalmic drops can cause serious medical problems in some people. Talk to your doctor about other options to treat bacterial conjunctivitis if you are at increased risk of complications from this medicine. Some of the risks of moxifloxacin use include:

ONLY FOR TOPICAL OCULAR ADMINISTRATION: Moxifloxacin ophthalmic solution should not be swallowed or injected.
SERIOUS ALLERGIC REACTIONS: A small number of people develop severe and life-threatening allergic reactions to moxifloxacin, including anaphylaxis (throat closing) and angioedema (swelling). Call your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical attention if you develop a skin rash, hives, itching, swelling of the face or mouth, or difficulty breathing or swallowing after taking this medicine.
NEW INFECTIONS: Using moxifloxacin eye drops for prolonged or repeated periods can lead to new infections with bacteria or fungi that are resistant to this antibiotic. Use these eye drops exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you notice new or worsening symptoms of eye infection.
CONTACT LENSES: You should not use contact lenses while using moxifloxacin to treat bacterial conjunctivitis. Throw away the pair of contact lenses you were wearing before starting treatment. Use a fresh pair of contacts after you finish treatment and your symptoms are gone.

Precautions Before Starting Moxifloxacin (Vigamox)

Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to moxifloxacin, any of the active or inactive ingredients in moxifloxacin eye drops, other fluoroquinolone antibiotics, or any other drugs. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients. Examples of other fluoroquinolone antibiotics include ciprofloxacin (Cipro, Ciloxan), levofloxacin (Levaquin, Quixin, Iquix), gatifloxacin (Tequin, Zymar), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), ofloxacin (Floxin, Ocuflox), norfloxacin (Noroxin), and sparfloxacin (Zagam).

Give your doctor a complete medical history. Moxifloxacin may not be right for people with certain health conditions.

Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible interactions between moxifloxacin and your other medicines.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breast feeding.

Precautions During Use of Moxifloxacin (Vigamox)

Keep all your medical and lab appointments while using moxifloxacin. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or get worse.

If you are using other eye drops, apply them at least 5 minutes away from moxifloxacin.

Do not wear contact lenses while you have symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis. Discard your old pair and use a fresh pair of contacts once your infection clears. Also wash or replace other products, such as eye makeup, that may have touched your eyes before treatment.

Moxifloxacin can cause temporary blurring of vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do other activities that require clear vision until you can see clearly.

Tell your healthcare professional if you become pregnant while on moxifloxacin.

Moxifloxacin (Vigamox) Drug Interactions

Concomitant administration of moxifloxacin eye drops with certain other medicines can affect how the medicines work. Possible drug interactions between moxifloxacin and other medicines can increase the risk of serious adverse events. Your doctor may change the dose of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects if there are known interactions between moxifloxacin and your other medicines.

Give your health care professional a complete list of all the drugs you are taking, including prescription drugs, non-prescription medicines, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare provider if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

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