Moxeza

Last updated on RxList: 4/28/2021

Drug Summary

What Is Moxeza?

Moxeza (moxifloxacin hydrochloride) ophthalmic solution is a topical anti-infective eye drop used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis or other bacterial infections of the eyes.

What Are Side Effects of Moxeza?

Common side effects of Moxeza include:

  • eye irritation/inflammation and
  • watery eyes.

Less common side effects of Moxeza include:

  • fever,
  • decrease in sharpness of vision,
  • eye itching,
  • inflammation of the cornea, and
  • pink eye (conjunctivitis).

Dosage for Moxeza

The recommended dose of Moxeza for patients 4 months of age and older is 1 drop in the affected eye(s) 2 times daily for 7 days.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Moxeza?

Moxeza may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications you take. Do not wear contact lenses if you have signs or symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis. Prolonged use may result in overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms, including fungi.

Moxeza During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding

Moxeza should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Consult your doctor before using Moxeza if you are breastfeeding.

Additional Information

Our Moxeza (moxifloxacin hydrochloride) ophthalmic solution Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

Description for Moxeza

MOXEZA™ is a sterile solution for topical ophthalmic use.

Moxifloxacin hydrochloride is an 8-methoxy fluoroquinolone anti-infective, with a diazabicyclononyl ring at the C7 position.

MOXEZA™ (moxifloxacin hydrochloride) Structural Formula Illustration

C21H24FN3O4•HCl        Mol Wt 437.9

Chemical Name: 1-Cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-8-methoxy-7-[(4aS,7aS)-octahydro-6Hpyrrolol[3,4-b]pyridin-6-yl]-4-oxo-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid, monohydrochloride.

Each mL of MOXEZA™ solution contains 5.45 mg moxifloxacin hydrochloride, equivalent to 5 mg moxifloxacin base.

Inactives: Sodium chloride, xanthan gum, boric acid, sorbitol, tyloxapol, purified water, and hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide to adjust pH.

MOXEZA™ is a greenish-yellow, isotonic solution with an osmolality of 300-370 mOsm/kg and a pH of approximately 7.4. Moxifloxacin hydrochloride is a slightly yellow to yellow crystalline powder.

Uses for Moxeza

MOXEZA™ solution is indicated for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis caused by susceptible strains of the following organisms:

Aerococcus viridans*
Corynebacterium macginleyi*

Enterococcus faecalis*

Micrococcus luteus*

Staphylococcus arlettae*

Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus capitis

Staphylococcus epidermidis

Staphylococcus haemolyticus

Staphylococcus hominis

Staphylococcus saprophyticus*

Staphylococcus warneri*

Streptococcus mitis*

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Streptococcus parasanguinis*

Escherichia coli*

Haemophilus influenzae

Klebsiella pneumoniae*

Propionibacterium acnes

Chlamydia trachomatis
*

*Efficacy for this organism was studied in fewer than 10 infections.

Dosage for Moxeza

Instill 1 drop in the affected eye(s) 2 times daily for 7 days.

HOW SUPPLIED

Dosage Forms And Strengths

4 mL bottle filled with 3 mL of sterile ophthalmic solution of moxifloxacin hydrochloride, 0.5% as base.

Storage And Handling

MOXEZA™ solution is supplied as a sterile ophthalmic solution in the Alcon DROP-TAINER® dispensing system consisting of a natural low density polyethylene bottle and dispensing plug and tan polypropylene closure. Tamper evidence is provided with a shrink band around the closure and neck area of the package.

3 mL in a 4 mL bottle - NDC 0065-0006-03

Storage

Store at 2°C- 25°C (36°F - 77°F).

Alcon Laboratories, Inc. 6201 South Freeway Fort Worth, Texas 76134 USA

Side Effects for Moxeza

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to the rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

The data described below reflect exposure to MOXEZA™ solution in 1263 patients, between 4 months and 92 years of age, with signs and symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis. The most frequently reported adverse reactions were eye irritation, pyrexia and conjunctivitis, reported in 1-2% of patients.

Drug Interactions for Moxeza

No information provided.

Warnings for Moxeza

Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.

Precautions for Moxeza

Topical Ophthalmic Use Only

NOT FOR INJECTION. MOXEZA™ solution is for topical ophthalmic use only and should not be injected subconjunctivally or introduced directly into the anterior chamber of the eye.

Hypersensitivity Reactions

In patients receiving systemically administered quinolones, including moxifloxacin, serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have been reported, some following the first dose. Some reactions were accompanied by cardiovascular collapse, loss of consciousness, angioedema (including laryngeal, pharyngeal or facial edema), airway obstruction, dyspnea, urticaria, and itching. If an allergic reaction to moxifloxacin occurs, discontinue use of the drug. Serious acute hypersensitivity reactions may require immediate emergency treatment. Oxygen and airway management should be administered as clinically indicated.

Growth of Resistant Organisms with Prolonged Use

As with other anti-infectives, prolonged use may result in overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms, including fungi. If superinfection occurs, discontinue use and institute alternative therapy. Whenever clinical judgment dictates, the patient should be examined with the aid of magnification, such as slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and, where appropriate, fluorescein staining.

Avoidance of Contact Lens Wear

Patients should be advised not to wear contact lenses if they have signs or symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis.

Nonclinical Toxicology

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Long-term studies in animals to determine the carcinogenic potential of moxifloxacin have not been performed.

Moxifloxacin was not mutagenic in four bacterial strains used in the Ames Salmonella reversion assay. As with other quinolones, the positive response observed with moxifloxacin in strain TA 102 using the same assay may be due to the inhibition of DNA gyrase. Moxifloxacin was not mutagenic in the CHO/HGPRT mammalian cell gene mutation assay. An equivocal result was obtained in the same assay when v79 cells were used. Moxifloxacin was clastogenic in the v79 chromosome aberration assay, but it did not induce unscheduled DNA synthesis in cultured rat hepatocytes. There was no evidence of genotoxicity in vivo in a micronucleus test or a dominant lethal test in mice.

Moxifloxacin had no effect on fertility in male and female rats at oral doses as high as 500 mg/kg/day, approximately 25,000 times the highest recommended total daily human ophthalmic dose. At 500 mg/kg orally there were slight effects on sperm morphology (head-tail separation) in male rats and on the estrous cycle in female rats.

Use In Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category C

Moxifloxacin was not teratogenic when administered to pregnant rats during organogenesis at oral doses as high as 500 mg/kg/day (approximately 25,000 times the highest recommended total daily human ophthalmic dose); however, decreased fetal body weights and slightly delayed fetal skeletal development were observed. There was no evidence of teratogenicity when pregnant Cynomolgus monkeys were given oral doses as high as 100 mg/kg/day (approximately 5,000 times the highest recommended total daily human ophthalmic dose). An increased incidence of smaller fetuses was observed at 100 mg/kg/day.

Since there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women, MOXEZA™ solution should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Nursing Mothers

Moxifloxacin has not been measured in human milk, although it can be presumed to be excreted in human milk. Caution should be exercised when MOXEZA™ solution is administered to a nursing mother.

Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of MOXEZA™ solution in infants below 4 months of age have not been established.

There is no evidence that the ophthalmic administration of moxifloxacin has any effect on weight bearing joints, even though oral administration of some quinolones has been shown to cause arthropathy in immature animals.

Geriatric Use

No overall differences in safety and effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger patients.

Overdose Information for Moxeza

No information provided.

Contraindications for Moxeza

None.

Clinical Pharmacology for Moxeza

Mechanism of Action

Moxifloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of anti-infective drugs.

Pharmacokinetics

Moxifloxacin steady-state plasma pharmacokinetics were evaluated in healthy adult male and female subjects who were administered multiple, bilateral, topical ocular doses of MOXEZA™ solution two times daily for four days with a final dose on day 5. The average steady-state AUC0-12 was 8.17 ± 5.31 ng•h/mL. Moxifloxacin Cmax following twice-daily bilateral ophthalmic administration of moxifloxacin AF 0.5% for 5 days is approximately 0.02% of that achieved with the oral formulation of moxifloxacin hydrochloride (Cmax following oral dosing of 400 mg AVELOX*, 4.5 ± 0.5 mcg/mL).

Microbiology

The antibacterial action of moxifloxacin results from inhibition of the topoisomerase II (DNA gyrase) and topoisomerase IV. DNA gyrase is an essential enzyme that is involved in the replication, transcription and repair of bacterial DNA. Topoisomerase IV is an enzyme known to play a key role in the partitioning of the chromosomal DNA during bacterial cell division.

The mechanism of action for quinolones, including moxifloxacin, is different from that of macrolides, aminoglycosides, or tetracyclines. Therefore, moxifloxacin may be active against pathogens that are resistant to these antibiotics and these antibiotics may be active against pathogens that are resistant to moxifloxacin. There is no cross-resistance between moxifloxacin and the aforementioned classes of antibiotics. Cross-resistance has been observed between systemic moxifloxacin and some other quinolones.

In vitro resistance to moxifloxacin develops via multiple-step mutations. Resistance to moxifloxacin occurs in vitro at a general frequency of between 1.8 x 10-9 to < 1x10-11 for Gram-positive bacteria.

Moxifloxacin has been shown to be active against most strains of the following microorganisms, both in vitro and in clinical infections as described in the INDICATIONS AND USAGE section:

Aerococcus viridans*
Corynebacterium macginleyi*

Enterococcus faecalis*

Micrococcus luteus*

Staphylococcus arlettae*

Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus capitis

Staphylococcus epidermidis

Staphylococcus haemolyticus

Staphylococcus hominis

Staphylococcus saprophyticus*

Staphylococcus warneri*

Streptococcus mitis*

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Streptococcus parasanguinis*

Escherichia coli*

Haemophilus influenzae

Klebsiella pneumoniae*

Propionibacterium acnes

Chlamydia trachomatis
*

*Efficacy for this organism was studied in fewer than 10 infections.

The following in vitro data are available, but their clinical significance in ophthalmic infections is unknown. The safety and effectiveness of MOXEZA™ solution in treating ophthalmic infections due to these organisms have not been established in adequate and well-controlled trials.

Moxifloxacin has been shown to be active in vitro against most strains of the microorganisms listed below. These organisms are considered susceptible when evaluated using systemic breakpoints; however, a correlation between the in vitro systemic breakpoint and ophthalmologic efficacy has not been established. The list of organisms is provided as guidance only in assessing the potential treatment of conjunctival infections. Moxifloxacin exhibits in vitro minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 2 mcg/mL or less (systemic susceptible breakpoint) against most ( ≥ 90%) strains of the following ocular pathogens.

Aerobic Gram-positive microorganisms

Staphylococcus caprae
Staphylococcus cohnii

Staphylococcus lugdunensis

Staphylococcus pasteuri

Streptococcus agalactiae

Streptococcus milleri
group
Streptococcus oralis

Streptococcus pyogenes

Streptococcus salivarius

Streptococcus sanguis

Aerobic Gram-negative microorganisms

Acinetobacter baumannii
Acinetobacter calcoaceticus

Acinetobacter junii

Enterobacter aerogenes

Enterobacter cloacae

Haemophilus parainfluenzae

Klebsiella oxytoca

Moraxella catarrhalis

Moraxella osloensis

Morganella morganii

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Neisseria meningitidis

Pantoea agglomerans

Proteus vulgaris

Pseudomonas stutzeri

Serratia liquefaciens

Serratia marcescens

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

Anaerobic microorganisms

Clostridium perfringens
Peptostreptococcus anaerobius

Peptostreptococcus magnus

Peptostreptococcus micros

Peptostreptococcus prevotii

Other microorganisms

Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Mycobacterium avium

Mycobacterium kansasii

Mycobacterium marinum

Clinical Studies

In one randomized, double-masked, multicenter, vehicle-controlled clinical trial in which patients with bacterial conjunctivitis were dosed with MOXEZA™ solution 2 times a day, MOXEZA™ was superior to its vehicle for both clinical and microbiological outcomes. Clinical cure achieved on Day 4 was 63% (265/424) in MOXEZA™ treated patients, versus 51% (214/423) in vehicle treated patients. Microbiologic success (eradication of baseline pathogens) was achieved on Day 4 in 75% (316/424) of MOXEZA™ treated patients versus 56% (237/423) of vehicle treated patients. Microbiologic eradication does not always correlate with clinical outcome in anti-infective trials.

Patient Information for Moxeza

Avoid Contamination of the Product

Patients should be advised not to touch the dropper tip to any surface to avoid contaminating the contents.

Avoid Contact Lens Wear

Patients should be advised not to wear contact lenses if they have signs and symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis.

Hypersensitivity Reactions

Systemically administered quinolones, including moxifloxacin, have been associated with hypersensitivity reactions, even following a single dose. Patients should be told to discontinue use immediately and contact their physician at the first sign of a rash or allergic reaction.

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