Comprehensive medication guide to Moxifloxacin including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$5–$30 copay for generic moxifloxacin on most commercial plans (Tier 1–2 preferred generic). Prior authorization not typically required. Medicare Part D covers it on most plans; patients who haven't met their deductible should compare GoodRx prices.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$98–$130 retail for generic moxifloxacin 400 mg (5-7 tablet course); as low as $10.89–$11.06 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons. No brand-name Avelox is currently available — only generics.
Medfinder Findability Score
52/100
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Moxifloxacin is a broad-spectrum prescription antibiotic in the fluoroquinolone class. Originally sold under the brand name Avelox (manufactured by Bayer AG), it has been available only in generic form since the brand was discontinued. The FDA approved moxifloxacin in 1999, making it one of the newer fluoroquinolones with enhanced activity against gram-positive bacteria and anaerobic organisms.
Moxifloxacin is FDA-approved for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), acute bacterial sinusitis, acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, complicated skin and skin structure infections, complicated intra-abdominal infections, and plague. It is also used off-label for tuberculosis (as part of a multi-drug regimen) and other resistant bacterial infections. Notably, moxifloxacin is not used for urinary tract infections because it does not achieve adequate concentrations in the urine.
Moxifloxacin is available as oral 400 mg tablets (dosed once daily), as an IV solution (400 mg/250 mL flexibag for hospital use), and as an ophthalmic solution (0.5%, sold as Vigamox and Moxeza) for bacterial eye infections. The oral tablet is the most commonly prescribed form in outpatient settings and is the formulation most affected by the current shortage.
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Moxifloxacin kills bacteria by inhibiting two essential bacterial enzymes: DNA gyrase (topoisomerase II) and topoisomerase IV. These enzymes are critical for managing bacterial DNA during replication and cell division — they cut and reseal DNA strands to control coiling and separation of daughter chromosomes. When moxifloxacin binds to these enzymes, it freezes them in the DNA-cut state, preventing the DNA from being resealed.
This causes double-strand DNA breaks, halts DNA replication and transcription, and ultimately results in bacterial cell death. Moxifloxacin is therefore bactericidal — it kills bacteria outright rather than simply stopping their growth. As a 4th-generation fluoroquinolone, it targets both DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV simultaneously, making it more potent against gram-positive organisms than earlier fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin.
Moxifloxacin is well absorbed orally (approximately 90% bioavailability) and can be taken with or without food. It distributes widely into lung tissue, sinus tissue, and skin/soft tissues — the primary sites of the infections it treats. Oral and IV doses are identical (400 mg once daily), allowing seamless switching between routes without dose adjustment.
400 mg — tablet
Standard oral dose for all adult indications; taken once daily with or without food
400 mg/250 mL — IV solution
Hospital intravenous formulation; same dose as oral — no adjustment needed when switching to oral
0.5% — ophthalmic solution
Eye drop formulation (Vigamox, Moxeza, generic); used for bacterial conjunctivitis and corneal ulcers
Moxifloxacin tablets have been in intermittent shortage since December 2023, when the ASHP Drug Shortage Database added a bulletin for Teva's 400 mg tablets (NDC 00093-7387-56). The listing was last updated December 15, 2025. Aurobindo, another major manufacturer, has refused to provide availability information, further complicating supply visibility.
However, Major Pharmaceuticals and Rising Pharmaceuticals both have moxifloxacin tablets available. The shortage is manufacturer-specific rather than a total market withdrawal — pharmacies that source from Major or Rising will have it in stock. The challenge is that large pharmacy chains often contract with a single generic manufacturer, so if that supplier is Teva, all stores in the chain may be affected simultaneously.
If you're struggling to find moxifloxacin at your pharmacy, medfinder contacts pharmacies near you to check which ones have your exact medication in stock — saving you from calling around yourself. You can also ask your pharmacist to order specifically from Major or Rising Pharmaceuticals.
Moxifloxacin is not a controlled substance and has no DEA scheduling. Any licensed prescriber with prescribing authority in their state can write a prescription for moxifloxacin for appropriate clinical indications. There are no special prescriber registration requirements.
Primary care physicians (PCPs) — family medicine and internal medicine
Urgent care physicians and providers
Emergency medicine physicians
Infectious disease specialists
Pulmonologists (for pneumonia and respiratory infections)
Nurse practitioners (NPs) — in most states with full or collaborative prescribing authority
Physician assistants (PAs) — with prescribing authority under physician supervision
Ophthalmologists and optometrists (for ophthalmic formulation)
Moxifloxacin can be prescribed via telehealth for appropriate indications including mild-to-moderate bacterial sinusitis, mild outpatient pneumonia, and mild skin infections. Because it is not a controlled substance, no additional telehealth prescribing restrictions apply. Platforms such as Teladoc, MDLive, Amazon Clinic, and others can evaluate and prescribe moxifloxacin during a video or asynchronous consultation.
No. Moxifloxacin is not a controlled substance and is not scheduled by the DEA. It is a prescription-only antibiotic, but it does not have the prescribing restrictions, documentation requirements, or refill limitations that apply to controlled substances.
Any licensed prescriber with prescribing authority can write a prescription for moxifloxacin without special DEA authorization. This includes primary care physicians, internists, urgent care providers, nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), and relevant specialists. Telehealth providers can also prescribe moxifloxacin during a video visit without additional restrictions. The prescription can be called in, faxed, or sent electronically to any pharmacy.
Most patients who take a short course of moxifloxacin experience only mild gastrointestinal side effects. Common side effects include:
Nausea (most common; taking with food may help)
Diarrhea (usually mild)
Headache
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Abdominal discomfort
Constipation
Moxifloxacin carries an FDA boxed warning for serious, potentially irreversible adverse reactions. Stop taking moxifloxacin and contact your doctor immediately if you experience:
Tendon pain, swelling, or rupture (especially Achilles tendon, shoulder, or hand)
Numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness in arms or legs (peripheral neuropathy — may be permanent)
Confusion, agitation, hallucinations, or psychiatric symptoms (CNS effects — can occur after just one dose)
Irregular heartbeat, palpitations, or fainting (QT prolongation / torsades de pointes)
Low blood sugar symptoms (shakiness, sweating, confusion) — particularly in diabetic patients
Severe or bloody diarrhea (possible C. difficile colitis)
Yellowing of skin or eyes, severe abdominal pain (hepatotoxicity)
Severe allergic reaction (hives, difficulty breathing, facial swelling) — call 911
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Levofloxacin (Levaquin)
Closest overall alternative; 3rd-generation fluoroquinolone; 500-750 mg once daily; requires renal dose adjustment; can be used for UTIs (moxifloxacin cannot); widely available in generic form
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
Most widely used fluoroquinolone; stronger gram-negative coverage; less effective against Streptococcus pneumoniae than moxifloxacin; twice-daily dosing typically; not preferred for pneumonia
Azithromycin (Zithromax)
Macrolide antibiotic; 5-day Z-Pak regimen; commonly used for mild respiratory infections; no fluoroquinolone class warnings; growing resistance in some regions
Doxycycline
Tetracycline antibiotic; broad spectrum for respiratory and skin infections; twice-daily dosing; inexpensive and widely available; avoid with dairy, antacids; not for children under 8
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Class IA antiarrhythmics (quinidine, procainamide)
majorAdditive QT prolongation — risk of torsades de pointes and cardiac arrest. Avoid combination.
Class III antiarrhythmics (sotalol, amiodarone)
majorAdditive QT prolongation — sotalol specifically shown to cause additive QTc prolongation with moxifloxacin. Avoid combination.
Antacids (Mg/Al), iron supplements, zinc multivitamins, sucralfate
moderateReduces moxifloxacin absorption by 23-60%. Separate by taking moxifloxacin at least 4 hours before or 8 hours after.
Warfarin
moderateEnhances anticoagulant effects; may elevate INR above therapeutic range. Monitor INR closely during moxifloxacin course.
Insulin/oral hypoglycemics (sulfonylureas)
moderateMay cause hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Monitor blood glucose frequently in diabetic patients.
NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen)
moderateMay increase CNS stimulation and seizure risk when combined with fluoroquinolones.
Corticosteroids (prednisone, dexamethasone)
majorSignificantly increases risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture. Avoid combination when possible.
Antipsychotics (haloperidol, ziprasidone, chlorpromazine)
majorAdditive QT prolongation; increased risk of torsades de pointes. Use with caution.
Tricyclic antidepressants
moderateAdditive QT prolongation risk. Monitor cardiac status.
SSRIs (fluoxetine, paroxetine)
moderateIncreased CNS stimulation and seizure risk reported. Monitor closely.
Moxifloxacin is an effective 4th-generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic with a well-established role in treating respiratory tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections, and intra-abdominal infections. Its once-daily dosing, excellent oral bioavailability, and broad spectrum — including activity against gram-positive bacteria and anaerobes — make it a clinically valuable agent for the right patient and indication.
Patients and providers should be aware of the ongoing ASHP-listed shortage of moxifloxacin tablets, active since December 2023, which affects Teva's product line. Supply remains available from Major and Rising Pharmaceuticals. The retail price can be dramatically reduced — from $98-$130 down to under $12 — with a GoodRx or SingleCare coupon, making moxifloxacin accessible for most patients when they can find it in stock.
If you're having trouble locating moxifloxacin at your pharmacy, medfinder contacts pharmacies near you to find which ones can fill your prescription — so you spend less time on hold and more time getting better.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
Real-time availability
Medfinder is actively checking pharmacy inventory for Moxifloxacin. We don't publish a number until we have enough verified pharmacy checks to be accurate — start a search and our team confirms current availability near you, usually within 24 hours.
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