What Is Moxifloxacin? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Moxifloxacin is a prescription antibiotic in the fluoroquinolone class, approved by the FDA in 1999. Originally sold under the brand name Avelox (made by Bayer AG), it's now available only as a generic in the United States. Moxifloxacin is classified as a 4th-generation fluoroquinolone — a newer, more potent member of the fluoroquinolone family with particularly strong activity against respiratory pathogens.

If you've been prescribed moxifloxacin, here's everything you need to know about what it is, what it treats, how to take it, and what to watch out for in 2026.

What Is Moxifloxacin Used For?

Moxifloxacin treats a wide variety of bacterial infections. The FDA has approved it for:

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP): Including pneumonia caused by drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Klebsiella pneumoniae

Acute bacterial sinusitis (ABS): When no alternative antibiotic is appropriate (per FDA guidance restricting fluoroquinolone use for uncomplicated infections)

Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (ABECB): Again, reserved for cases where alternatives are inappropriate

Complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI): Including diabetic foot infections (without bone involvement) and other complex soft tissue infections

Complicated intra-abdominal infections: Including polymicrobial infections involving both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria

Plague: Treatment and prevention of Yersinia pestis infection (including pneumonic, bubonic, and septicemic plague)

Off-label uses (prescribed by doctors but not FDA-approved for these indications) include tuberculosis (as part of a multi-drug regimen), persistent nongonococcal urethritis, and leprosy (Hansen's disease).

What moxifloxacin is NOT used for: Urinary tract infections (UTIs). Unlike ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, moxifloxacin does not achieve adequate concentrations in the urine because it is primarily metabolized by the liver. It should not be used for UTIs.

What Forms Does Moxifloxacin Come In?

Oral tablets: 400 mg — the most common outpatient form; taken once daily

IV solution: 400 mg in 250 mL flexibag — used in hospitals for patients who can't take oral medication. Importantly, switching from IV to oral requires NO dose adjustment — the dose is identical.

Ophthalmic solution (0.5%): Sold as Vigamox, Moxeza, or generic — used for bacterial eye infections. This formulation is separate from the oral/IV shortage.

How Do You Take Moxifloxacin?

Dose: 400 mg once daily (no dose adjustment needed for kidney or liver disease in most cases)

Duration: Varies by infection: 5 days for sinusitis, 5-10 days for pneumonia, 7-14 days for skin infections, 5-14 days for intra-abdominal infections

With or without food: Moxifloxacin has approximately 90% bioavailability whether taken with or without food. No need to coordinate with meals.

Antacids/supplements timing: Take moxifloxacin at least 4 hours BEFORE or 8 hours AFTER antacids containing magnesium or aluminum, iron supplements, multivitamins with zinc, sucralfate, or didanosine. These products can significantly reduce moxifloxacin absorption.

Finish the full course: Don't stop early even if you feel better. Stopping early can allow bacteria to survive and develop antibiotic resistance.

Who Should NOT Take Moxifloxacin?

Anyone with a known allergy to moxifloxacin or any other fluoroquinolone antibiotic

Patients with known QT prolongation (a heart rhythm abnormality)

Patients with myasthenia gravis (moxifloxacin can cause life-threatening respiratory failure in this population)

Children and adolescents under 18 years of age (not approved; arthropathy observed in animal studies)

37,665+ patients found their medications in stock

37K+

Find Moxifloxacin In Stock Today →

Moxifloxacin in 2026: Availability and Cost

Brand-name Avelox was discontinued by Bayer. Generic moxifloxacin 400 mg tablets are available from several manufacturers, but Teva's supply has been affected by the current ASHP-listed shortage (active since December 2023). Major and Rising Pharmaceuticals have supply available.

Retail price: $98-$130 per course without a coupon. With GoodRx: as low as $10.89 per course — making it one of the more affordable antibiotics when using a discount card.

If you're having trouble finding moxifloxacin at your pharmacy, medfinder can help you locate it near you.

Want to understand how moxifloxacin actually kills bacteria? See: How Does Moxifloxacin Work? Mechanism of Action Explained in Plain English