Baxdela (delafloxacin) is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used to treat certain skin and lung bacterial infections in adults. It's FDA approved for acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP). It comes as a tablet taken by mouth or as an injection given through a vein (IV infusion) by a healthcare professional. This medication only comes as a brand name —there isn’t a generic version available. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and headache.
Baxdela (delafloxacin) is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. It works by stopping bacteria from copying their DNA, which kills the bacteria and clears the infection.
Source: DailyMed
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Covers drug-resistant bacteria, including MRSA
Available as an oral tablet and injection
Can be taken with or without food
Needs to be taken twice daily
Serious risks include tendon problems and nerve damage
Not known if safe for children
Finish your full treatment with Baxdela (delafloxacin), even if you start to feel better. Stopping this medication too early can cause the infection to come back. It might also make the infection harder to treat.
If you miss a dose of Baxdela (delafloxacin), take it as soon as you remember — unless it’s less than 8 hours before your next dose. If it's less than 8 hours, skip the missed dose and wait to take your next dose at the regular time.
Serious side effects from Baxdela (delafloxacin) can happen at the same time and might not go away. These include tendon pain or rupture, nerve problems, or brain-related problems. Stop taking the medication right away and tell your prescriber if you notice any of these.
Call your prescriber right away if you notice tendon pain, swelling, or weakness while taking Baxdela (delafloxacin). Stop exercising and rest the joint in the meantime.
Baxdela (delafloxacin) can cause nerve damage. Tell your prescriber if you feel tingling, burning, numbness, or weakness in your arms or legs. Stop taking the medication and call your care team right away if this happens.
Baxdela (delafloxacin) can cause dizziness and lightheadedness. See how the medication affects you before driving or using heavy equipment.
Diarrhea is a common side effect of Baxdela (delafloxacin), but it usually goes away after you stop taking the medication. If you get watery or bloody stools — even weeks later — call your prescriber since this could be a sign of a more serious condition.
Baxdela (delafloxacin) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Over the age of 60 | Taking corticosteroid medications | People with kidney, heart, or lung transplants | Strenuous physical activity | Kidney failure | Previous tendon conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis
Baxdela (delafloxacin) can raise your risk of tendon problems, including pain, swelling, or even a torn tendon. This can happen at any age, but the risk is higher if you're over 60, take steroid medications, or have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant. The Achilles tendon (in the back of your ankle) is affected most often, but problems can also happen in the shoulder, hand, biceps, or thumb. Tendon problems can start just hours after your first dose, or even months after finishing the medication. If you notice any swelling or pain in your muscles or joints, stop taking Baxdela (delafloxacin) and tell your prescriber right away. Avoid exercise or putting pressure on the sore area.
Risk factors: History of nerve problems
Baxdela (delafloxacin) can raise the risk of nerve problems, also called peripheral neuropathy. These can include pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness. Some people notice symptoms soon after starting the medication, and in some cases, the damage might not go away. Stop taking Baxdela (delafloxacin) right away if you notice any of these signs. Call your prescriber as soon as possible to lower the chance of lasting nerve damage. If you’ve had nerve problems before, this medication might not be right for you.
Risk factors: History of seizures| History of nervous system conditions
Baxdela (delafloxacin) can cause mental health side effects. These can include seeing or hearing things that aren’t real, feeling confused or depressed, having thoughts of self-harm, trouble sleeping, and feeling anxious. These problems can start after just one dose. If you notice any of these symptoms, stop taking Baxdela (delafloxacin) and call your prescriber right away.
Baxdela (delafloxacin) can also affect your brain and nerves. Some people have had seizures, shaking, dizziness, or high pressures in the brain. Your risk is higher if you've had seizures or other nervous system conditions. Stop taking this medication and contact your care team right away if any of these symptoms occur.
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics like Baxdela (delafloxacin) can worsen muscle weakness in people with myasthenia gravis. Serious problems, including trouble breathing and even death, have happened in people with this condition after taking these medications. If you have myasthenia gravis, talk with your prescriber to find a safer treatment.
Serious allergic reactions, including some that were life-threatening or fatal, have happened in people taking fluoroquinolone antibiotics like Baxdela (delafloxacin). These reactions can happen even after the first dose and can include fainting, swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing, itching, or a skin rash. These reactions can sometimes happen right away or even after later doses. Stop taking Baxdela (delafloxacin) and contact your prescriber if you notice a rash or any signs of an allergic reaction.
As with many antibiotics, Baxdela (delafloxacin) can cause diarrhea by changing the normal balance of bacteria in your gut. Sometimes this allows a bacteria called Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) to overgrow and cause harm. This infection can be mild or very serious. It can also happen during treatment or even more than 2 months after stopping the antibiotic. Tell your prescriber right away if you notice severe diarrhea, stomach pain, or fever that doesn’t go away, especially if you've taken Baxdela (delafloxacin) in the last few months.
Risk factors: Older adults
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics like Baxdela (delafloxacin) can raise the risk of serious blood vessel problems, such as a bulge or tear in the main artery (called an aortic aneurysm or dissection), especially in older adults. This is a life-threatening condition and can happen within 2 months of taking Baxdela (delafloxacin). If you suddenly feel severe pain in your back, chest, or stomach after recently taking this medication, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you already have an aortic aneurysm, tell your care team so they can carefully weigh the risks and benefits of taking this medication.
Risk factors: Taking oral blood sugar medications | Use of insulin
Baxdela (delafloxacin) can cause changes in blood sugar levels, including low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). This is more likely to happen in people with diabetes who are also taking insulin or oral diabetes medications. If you have diabetes, your care team might recommend that you check your blood sugar more often while taking Baxdela (delafloxacin). If you notice signs of low blood sugar — like shakiness, sweating, confusion, or dizziness — stop taking the medication and get help right away.
Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
---|---|---|---|
450mg | 20 tablets | $1455.47 | $72.77 |
Tablet:
ABSSSI: The typical dose is 450 mg by mouth every 12 hours for 5 to 14 days
CABP: The typical dose is 450 mg by mouth every 12 hours for 5 to 10 days.
Injection: A healthcare professional will give you the medication through a vein.
ABSSSI: The typical dose is 300 mg IV every 12 hours for 5 to 14 days
CABP: The typical dose is 300 mg IV every 12 hours for 5 to 10 days.
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