Avelox Side Effects

Avelox is the brand name of a popular broad-spectrum antibiotic known as Moxifoxacin. It has been the subject of increased scrutiny over the past few years as many have complained of adverse side effects, including tendonitis, muscle weakness and liver damage. The drug is manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals and is available worldwide for the treatment of certain respiratory infections and other bacterial maladies.

Avelox is marketed for the treatment of bacterial respiratory tract infections including pneumonia, acute chronic bronchitis and acute bacterial sinusitis. In addition to respiratory difficulties, Avelox is also commonly prescribed to treat certain bacterial skin and abdominal infections. Dosages are taken orally for anywhere between five and 21 days. Very rarely, Avelox is used to treat tuberculosis and endocartitis, which is an infection of the heart lining and valves.

Taking the drug Avelox considerably increases a patient’s likelihood of developing tendinitis or tendon rupture. Tendinitis is a swelling of the fibrous tissues that connects bone to muscle. Tendinitis frequently develops into a tendon rupture which typically takes several months to heal. Side effects of Avelox often appear in tendons of the hands, shoulders or ankles. Tendon rupture is possible at any age but Avelox patients over age 60 are particularly susceptible to the condition. Symptoms of tendinitis include pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness or difficulty moving muscles.

Other adverse side effects commonly associated with Avelox include severe muscle weakness in those patients suffering from myasthenia gravis. Myasthenia gravis is a condition of the nervous system affecting muscle strength. Use of Avelox has been linked with severe difficulty breathing or death for this specialized group of patients.

Avelox has also been linked to severe liver damage. Symptoms of damage include abdominal pain, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin and eyes, severe itching, dark urine, and pale-colored stools. Warnings about liver damage have appeared on Avelox labels in Canada and Europe. The FDA has yet to issue warnings to American consumers.