Moxifloxacin (Ref: BAY 12-8039)

Moxifloxacin (Ref: BAY 12-8039)	Last updated: 16/09/2025
(Not known by any other names)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A human and veterinary antimicrobial drug, usually used as the hydrochloride salt, active against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

Examples of veterinary uses

Mainly used for pneumonia as well as skin and soft tissue infections, particularly those caused by resistant strains of mycobacterium. Effective against infections caused by Escherichia coli, Bacteroides fragilis, Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus constellatus

Examples of species treated

Dogs; Cats; Rodents; Monkeys

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Not approved

EU Regulatory approval status

Not approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Moxifloxacin exhibits stereoisomerism, specifically chirality, due to the presence of two chiral centres in its molecular structure. These centers give rise to multiple stereoisomers, but moxifloxacin is manufactured and used clinically as a single, optically active isomer, the (S,S)-enantiomer.

Chemical formula

C₂₁H₂₄FN₃O₄

Canonical SMILES

COC1=C2C(=CC(=C1N3CC4CCCNC4C3)F)C(=O)C(=CN2C5CC5)C(=O)O

Isomeric SMILES

COC1=C2C(=CC(=C1N3C[C@@H]4CCCN[C@@H]4C3)F)C(=O)C(=CN2C5CC5)C(=O)O

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

FABPRXSRWADJSP-MEDUHNTESA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C21H24FN3O4/c1-29-20-17-13(19(26)14(21(27)28)9-25(17)12-4-5-12)7-15(22)18(20)24-8-11-3-2-6-23-16(11)10-24/h7,9,11-12,16,23H,2-6,8,10H2,1H3,(H,27,28)/t11-,16+/m0/s1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
Moxifloxacinium chloride monohydrate	Variant

General status

Veterinary substance type

Medicinal drug: antibacterial; antimicrobial

Substance groups

Fluoroquinolone

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

The (R,R)-enantiomer may exist as a chiral impurity

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Binds to and inhibits the bacterial enzymes DNA gyrase (topoisomerase II) and topoisomerase IV, resulting in inhibition of DNA replication and repair and cell death in sensitive bacterial species

Molecular targets

[DNA gyrase subunit A, Inhibitor], [DNA topoisomerase 4 subunit A, Inhibitor], [DNA topoisomerase 2-alpha, Inhibitor]

CAS RN

354812-41-2

EC number

604-773-0

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

Therapeutic Class

Antibacterials for systemic use - Quinolone antibacterials; Ophthalmologicals - Antiinfectives

ATCvet Code

QJ01MA14; QS01AE07

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Molecular mass

401.43

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

1-cyclopropyl-7-((1S,6S)-2,8-diazabicyclo(4.3.0)nonan-8-yl)-6-fluoro-8-methoxy-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid

IUPAC name

1-cyclopropyl-7-((1S,6S)-2,8-diazabicyclo(4.3.0)nonan-8-yl)-6-fluoro-8-methoxy-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid

CAS name

Forever chemical

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

White solid

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1999, developed; 2010, peak of use in vet rmedicine research; 2013, not approved UK

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Bayer

Example products using this active

Avelox
Moxivaan

Formulation and application details

Usually supplied as a solution for injection itypically for intramuscular or intravenous administration

Commercial production

The production of moxifloxacin involves a multi-step synthetic process starting with 1-cyclopropyl-6,7-difluoro-8-methoxy-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylic acid as the key intermediate. This compound is reacted with (S,S)-2,8-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]nonane in a solvent such as methanol, often in the presence of triethylamine and a Lewis acid catalyst. The reaction is typically carried out at elevated temperatures for several hours. Once complete, the mixture is cooled, and the solvent is removed under reduced pressure. The moxifloxacin product is then precipitates as a solid, filtered, washed and dried under vacuum to yield a high-purity powder.

Impact on climate of production and use

Based on similar drugs and formulations GHG emissions are likely in the range potentially 150–250 grams CO₂e per 400 mg IV dose.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

1146

at 25 °C

High

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Melting point (°C)

209

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

7.94 X 10⁰²

Calculated

Log P

2.9

Moderate

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Refractive Index

Environmental release

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Excretion is mainly faecal with urinary excretion of the unchanged drug accounting for 19-22%

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

May weaken & cause pain to tendons
May cause dizziness, drowsiness, light-headedness, or blurred vision

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Will emit toxic fumes when heated to decompostion

CLP classification 2013

Health: H302, H319
Environment: H412

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Not regulated

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

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Name

English

moxifloxacin

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Swedish

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Record last updated:	16/09/2025
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242