Moxifloxacin (Avelox): a novel fluoroquinolone with a broad spectrum of activity

Moxifloxacin (Avelox) is a recently-developed fluoroquinolone that has a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity, including typical respiratory pathogens, atypical and intracellular respiratory pathogens, Gram-negative pathogens and many anaerobes. This spectrum of activity makes moxifloxacin particularly suitable for the therapy of community-acquired respiratory tract infections. It also has enhanced activity against specific bacteria, such as Mycobacteria spp. and Legionella. Moxifloxacin has pharmacologic characteristics that support once-daily dosing regimens and dual routes of excretion that require little or no adjustment for renal or hepatic insufficiency. The drug has maintained an excellent safety profile based upon broad global usage, and no adverse events have occurred that were unanticipated. Streptococcus pneumoniae, which are resistant to earlier fluoroquinolones, are less likely to be resistant to moxifloxacin.