moxifloxacin (Avelox IV)

Following a full submission:

moxifloxacin hydrochloride intravenous, 400mg/250mL, solution for infusion (Avelox IV) is accepted for restricted use in NHSScotland.

Indication under review: the treatment of community acquired pneumonia (CAP).  It should be used only when it is considered inappropriate to use antibacterial agents that are commonly recommended for the initial treatment of these infections.  Consideration should be given to official guidance on the appropriate use of antibacterial agents.

SMC restriction: use only on the advice of microbiologists or specialists in infectious diseases.

In several studies, sequential intravenous/oral moxifloxacin has been shown to be non-inferior to a range of comparative therapies.

Intravenous moxifloxacin is also licensed for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections. The manufacturer’s submission related only to use in CAP, therefore SMC cannot recommend its use in the treatment of skin infections.