The two fluoroquinolones moxifloxacin or levofloxacin are reserve drugs or WHO Group A drugs for the treatment of tuberculosis. They are used in combination with other drugs for the treatment of resistant and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis when the standard therapy of rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol cannot be used.

Moxifloxacin and levofloxacin are administered in a fixed dosage regardless of body weight. They can be taken independently of meals, but should be taken 2 hours before consuming milk, dairy products or medicines containing minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium or aluminum.

A possible side effect is an allergic reaction with skin rash and itching. The medication can also damage the liver, which is why blood values must be checked at regular intervals. Alcohol should be avoided for the duration of therapy to avoid putting unnecessary additional strain on the liver.

A rare but serious side effect can be an irregular heartbeat (cardiac arrhythmia). For this reason, ECG examinations are carried out regularly during therapy so that medical specialists can detect changes in the heart rhythm at an early stage. Very rarely, fluoroquinolones can also cause injuries to the Achilles tendon, especially if cortisone is taken at the same time.

The treating physicians should be informed of any side effects so that they can react to them and possibly adjust the therapy.

If a medication in the standard therapy does not work or is intolerable, the composition and duration of the therapy can be changed. If the tablets are not taken regularly, the therapy may fail. The bacteria then begin to multiply again and can become resistant to the medication taken. This can lead to more complicated and longer treatment with poorer chances of recovery.