What Is Baxdela?
Baxdela (delafloxacin) is a prescription-only medication used to treat skin infections caused by bacteria and bacterial community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).
Baxdela belongs to a class of medications known as fluoroquinolone antibiotics. It works by blocking the activity of specific proteins needed for bacteria growth. Baxdela should only be prescribed for infections caused by the bacteria that Baxdela can effectively treat. This helps to reduce the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Baxdela is available in tablet form to be taken by mouth. It can also be given intravenously (into the vein). However, this article will focus on the oral form of delafloxacin.
What Is Baxdela Used For?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Baxdela to treat skin infections and community-acquired pneumonia caused by certain bacteria.
Drug Facts
Generic Name: Delafloxacin
The skin infections Baxdela treats include a broad group of diseases and may present as mild to potentially life-threatening symptoms.
How to Take Baxdela
Take your medication exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. If you don’t finish the prescribed course, the bacteria can grow back and become resistant to Baxdela, making it ineffective against that specific bacteria.
Generally, Baxdela is taken every 12 hours, with the duration of treatment depending on the type and severity of the bacterial infection. You should take Baxdela at least two hours before or six hours after antacids containing magnesium or aluminum, Carafate (sucralfate), iron, multivitamins with zinc or iron, or with the medication didanosine (a medication used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)).
Storage
Store Baxdela in a cool, dry place (68 F to 77 F). Do not store it in areas exposed to extremely hot or cold temperatures, like your car or refrigerator. These environments can affect how well your medication works. Do not freeze this medication. Keep it out of reach of children and pets to prevent accidental consumption.
Off-Label Uses
There are currently no off-label uses for Baxdela. It is important to ensure you take Baxdela only as your healthcare provider intends.
What Are the Side Effects of Baxdela?
This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. A healthcare provider can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your pharmacist or a healthcare provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 800-FDA-1088.
How Long Does Baxdela Take to Work?
Baxdela is quickly absorbed, reaching maximum levels in the body one hour after taking it. Baxdela takes about three days to reach a consistent level in the body.
Common Side Effects
Common side effects that have been associated with Baxdela use include the following:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Transaminitis (high levels of liver enzymes called transaminases)
Severe Side Effects
Call your healthcare provider immediately if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
- Tendon rupture and tendonitis
- Peripheral neuropathy, such as numbness, tingling, pain
- Effects on the brain, including trouble sleeping, confusion, seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations), seizures, headaches, or mood changes like depression or suicidal thoughts
- Tears or bursting of a major heart vessel (aorta), which can result in major bleeding. This rare but life-threatening event may happen within two months of taking Baxdela. Adults 65 and older are at the highest risk. Seek immediate medical help if you have sudden chest or back pain or trouble breathing.
- Severe allergic reaction and hives
Long-Term Side Effects
Talk to your healthcare provider if you are at risk for any of the following:
- Tendon rupture and tendonitis
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Effects on the brain (e.g., hallucinations, toxic psychosis, increased seizure risk, tremors)
Dosage: How Much Baxdela Should I Take?
Modifications
Treatment adjustments for Baxdela may be necessary in the following cases.
Report Side Effects
Baxdela may cause other side effects. Call your healthcare provider if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your healthcare provider may send a report to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program or by phone (800-332-1088).
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
For oral dosage form (tablets):
For acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections:
Adults—450 milligrams (mg) every 12 hours for 5 to 14 days.
Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For community acquired bacterial pneumonia:
Adults—450 milligrams (mg) every 12 hours for 5 to 10 days.
Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections:
Adults—450 milligrams (mg) every 12 hours for 5 to 14 days.
Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For community acquired bacterial pneumonia:
Adults—450 milligrams (mg) every 12 hours for 5 to 10 days.
Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Adults—450 milligrams (mg) every 12 hours for 5 to 14 days.
Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Adults—450 milligrams (mg) every 12 hours for 5 to 10 days.
Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Pregnancy
There is currently limited information on how Baxdela may affect a fetus or pregnant individual. However, animal studies showed some adverse effects, such as toxicity to the pregnant animal and reduced birth weight. Baxdela should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefits outweigh the risks.
Nursing/Breastfeeding
There is currently no information on the presence of Baxdela in human breast milk, its effects on a breastfed infant, or its effects on milk production.
Children
Adults 65 and Older
Adults 65 and older are at an increased risk of developing a tendon rupture or tendonitis when treated with fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Caution should be used when prescribing Baxdela to people in this age group, especially if they are also taking a class of medications known as corticosteroids.
Kidney Damage
Baxdela is not recommended if you have severe kidney damage (an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 15 milliliters per minute or less) or end-stage kidney disease.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, you should take it as soon as possible, up to eight hours before your next dose. If less than eight hours are remaining before your next dose, only take the upcoming scheduled dose and skip the missed one.
Overdose: What Happens If I Take Too Much Baxdela?
Contact your healthcare provider if you take too much Baxdela. You may need medical observation to ensure you are appropriately treated.
Precautions
What Are Reasons I Shouldn’t Take Baxdela?
Do not take Baxdela if you:
What Happens If I Overdose on Baxdela?
If you think you or someone else may have overdosed on Baxdela, call a healthcare provider or the Poison Control Center (800-222-1222).
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure it is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
Delafloxacin may cause inflammation (tendinitis) or tearing of a tendon (the cord that attaches muscles to bones). This can occur while you are using the medicine or after you finish using it. The risk of having tendon problems may be increased if you are over 60 years of age, are using steroid medicines (eg, dexamethasone, prednisolone, prednisone, Medrol®), have severe kidney problems, have a history of tendon problems (eg, rheumatoid arthritis), or if you have received an organ transplant (eg, heart, kidney, or lung). Check with your doctor right away if you have sudden pain or swelling in a tendon (eg, ankle, back of the knee or leg, shoulder, elbow, or wrist), bruise more easily after an injury, or are unable to bear weight or move the affected area. Refrain from exercise until your doctor says otherwise.
Tell your doctor right away if you start having numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet. These may be symptoms of a condition called peripheral neuropathy.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while using this medicine: seizures, feeling anxious, confused, or depressed, seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there, severe headache, trouble sleeping, or unusual thoughts or behaviors.
Delafloxacin may worsen myasthenia gravis (severe muscle weakness) in people who already have this condition. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.
This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hives, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after you use this medicine.
This medicine may increase your risk for aortic aneurysm (bulge in the wall of the largest artery). Check with your doctor right away if you have sudden chest, stomach, or back pain, trouble breathing, cough, or hoarseness.
Delafloxacin may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. It may occur 2 months or more after you stop using this medicine. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer. If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.
Delafloxacin may cause some people to become dizzy or lightheaded than they are normally. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
If you are a diabetic patient taking diabetes medicine by mouth: Delafloxacin may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in some patients. Symptoms of low blood sugar must be treated before they lead to unconsciousness (passing out). Different people may feel different symptoms of low blood sugar. If you experience symptoms of low blood sugar, check with your doctor right away.
- Symptoms of low blood sugar can include: anxiety, behavior change similar to being drunk, blurred vision, cold sweats, confusion, cool pale skin, difficulty with concentrating, drowsiness, excessive hunger, headache, nausea, nervousness, rapid heartbeat, shakiness, or unusual tiredness or weakness.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
- Have a rare condition known as myasthenia gravisHave severe kidney damage or end-stage kidney diseaseDevelop a severe reaction to this medication or any other fluoroquinolones
What Other Medications Interact With Baxdela?
Some medications can stick to Baxdela in the body, reducing its absorption and making it less effective. For this reason, take Baxdela at least two hours before or six hours after certain medications and supplements, such as:
- Antacids containing aluminum or magnesium
- Iron
- Multivitamins with iron or zinc
- Sucralfate
Tell your healthcare provider about any other medicines you take or plan to take, including over-the-counter (OTC) nonprescription products, vitamins, herbs, supplements, and plant-based medicines.
What Medications Are Similar?
Baxdela belongs to a class of medications known as fluoroquinolone antibiotics. The following drugs are also part of this class:
- Cipro (ciprofloxacin)LevofloxacinAvelox (moxifloxacin)Ofloxacin
This is a list of other fluoroquinolone antibiotics similar to Baxdela. It is NOT a list of drugs recommended to take with Baxdela. You should not take these drugs together. Talk to your pharmacist or your healthcare provider if you have questions.
How Can I Stay Healthy While Taking Baxdela?
It is important to take this medication exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Do not stop taking the prescribed course early, even if you feel better. Doing so can cause the bacteria to become resistant to the medication, potentially making it ineffective against your infection if you need to take it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can Baxdela be used to treat viral infections?
- No, Baxdela is an antibiotic and is only effective against certain bacteria.
- Can I stop taking Baxdela once I start to feel better?
- No, you should finish all the prescribed medication even if you start feeling better. This is recommended to minimize the risk of bacteria becoming resistant to Baxdela.
- How much does Baxdela cost?
- How much you pay for your medication will depend on your health insurance. If cost concerns you, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist. They can point you to savings cards or other affordability assistance programs for prescription medications.
No, Baxdela is an antibiotic and is only effective against certain bacteria.
No, you should finish all the prescribed medication even if you start feeling better. This is recommended to minimize the risk of bacteria becoming resistant to Baxdela.
How much you pay for your medication will depend on your health insurance. If cost concerns you, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist. They can point you to savings cards or other affordability assistance programs for prescription medications.
Along with taking your medication as prescribed, drink water to stay hydrated and get plenty of rest as you recover from your infection.
Pay attention to discomfort or pain, as Baxdela can cause tendon and nerve issues. Stop taking your medication and contact a healthcare provider immediately if you hear a pop or snap in the tendon or develop nerve pain in the hands, arms, legs, or feet.
The author would like to recognize and thank Cody Ryan Thomas for contributing to this article.
Medical Disclaimer
Verywell Health’s drug information is meant for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a healthcare provider. Consult your healthcare provider before taking any new medication(s). IBM Watson Micromedex provides some of the drug content, as indicated on the page.
