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Pharmacokinetics of fleroxacin as studied by positron emission tomography and [18F]fleroxacin.

A new method of tracing the disposition of fleroxacin was tested in infected and noninfected animals in an effort to develop a technique that might be applicable in humans. [18F]fleroxacin was synthesized and shown to be identical physically, chemically, and in its antimicrobial activity to the commercially produced product. Tracer amounts of [18F]fleroxacin were coinjected with a pharmacologic dose of unlabeled drug (10 mg/kg) into normal mice, rats with focal thigh infection due to Escherichia coli, and normal and infected rabbits. The rats and mice were killed at fixed time intervals after injection, and the concentration of drug was determined by radioactive counting in a well-type counter; the rabbits were studied both by this method and by positron emission tomographic (PET) imaging. These studies validated the reliability of the new approach and suggested that it could be applied safely to humans. In all three animal species studied, delivery of [18F]fleroxacin to most tissues was rapid, with the notable exception of the brain. Accumulation of drug in infected thigh muscle was similar to that in normal muscle. The concentrations of drug reached in various tissues suggest that fleroxacin will be particularly useful in the treatment of gastrointestinal, urinary tract, hepatobiliary, and skeletal infections and that it shows promise for the treatment of lung and soft tissue infection. The minimal concentrations of drug delivered to the brain should decrease the occurrence of central nervous system toxicity with this particular fluoroquinolone.

Animals↗

[Determination of fleroxacin by photochemical fluorescence of zinc-fleroxacin complex].

Based on the complex formed by Zn2+ which can strengthen the relative fluorescence intensity of fleroxacin evidently, a novel photochemical fluorescence method was developed. The effects of the acidity, the concentration ratio of Zn2+ to fleroxacin, and the time for illumination were studied. Under the optimum experiment conditions, the linear range of the determination was 5.00 x 10(-8) - 5.00 x 10(-6) mol x L(-1). The detection limit was 4.2 x 10(-8) mol x L(-1). The relative standard deviation of the determination of fleroxacin (5.0 x 10(-7) mol x L(-1)) was 1.7% (n = 20). The method was successfully applied to the determination of fleroxacin in specimens, and the recoveries were in the range of 95.0%-105%. The mechanism of this system is proposed.

Fleroxacin↗

Once-daily fleroxacin versus twice-daily ciprofloxacin in the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections.

PURPOSE: We compared the efficacy and safety of once-daily fleroxacin and twice-daily ciprofloxacin in patients with complicated urinary tract infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a prospective, open, randomized, multicenter study design, 133 patients (67 fleroxacin, 66 ciprofloxacin) were treated with doses of either 200 mg. of fleroxacin once daily or 250 mg. of ciprofloxacin twice daily in phase 1. In phase 2, 211 patients (103 fleroxacin, 108 ciprofloxacin) received 400 mg. of fleroxacin once daily or 500 mg. of ciprofloxacin twice a day. RESULTS: In phase 1, bacteriological efficacy was excellent only against sensitive pathogens, such as Escherichia coli (84% with fleroxacin, 88% with ciprofloxacin), but high failure rates were observed in infections caused by Pseudomonas species (56% with fleroxacin, 67% with ciprofloxacin) and gram-positive organisms (52% with fleroxacin, 67% with ciprofloxacin). In phase 2, bacteriological overall success rate was 88% in the fleroxacin group and 84% in the ciprofloxacin group. Clinical overall success was observed in more than 90% of patients in both groups (94% with fleroxacin, 93% with ciprofloxacin). No statistically significant differences between the drugs were observed in efficacy during phase 2, including a 4 to-6-week followup. Tolerance was also similar for fleroxacin and ciprofloxacin, with about 20% of patients reporting adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that both fleroxacin and ciprofloxacin are safe and effective for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections at the higher doses used in phase 2, with fleroxacin offering the advantage of a once-daily dosing regimen. Lower doses of fleroxacin (200 mg. once daily) should only be used to treat urinary tract infections caused by gram-negative organisms with minimum inhibiting concentrations of less than 0.5 mg./l.

Aged↗

Metabolism of fleroxacin in man.

The metabolism of fleroxacin was studied in 12 healthy volunteers by use of a newly developed high pressure liquid chromatographic assay. Desmethylfleroxacin and fleroxacin N-oxide were identified as the major metabolites of fleroxacin in plasma and urine. The maximum concentrations of fleroxacin, desmethylfleroxacin and fleroxacin N-oxide in plasma were 5.2 +/- 1.1, 0.0683 +/- 0.0151 and 0.0634 +/- 0.0090 mg/l reached at 1.2 +/- 0.7 h, 2.2 +/- 0.8 h and 6.2 +/- 2.4 h respectively (one subject excluded from analysis). The plasma AUC was between 1.0 and 2.6 mg.h/l for either metabolite and between 47.9 and 75.1 mg.h/l for the parent compound. The terminal half-life of desmethylfleroxacin was higher than that of unchanged fleroxacin and similar to the half-life of fleroxacin N-oxide. In urine unchanged fleroxacin, desmethylfleroxacin and fleroxacin N-oxide accounted for 59.9%, 6.8% and 6.3% of the dose of fleroxacin. The renal clearance of fleroxacin, desmethylfleroxacin and fleroxacin N-oxide were 67.6, 300.9 and 324.8 ml/min respectively. We conclude that demethylation and N-oxidation of fleroxacin affects the distribution and elimination characteristics significantly. Renal clearance increased, and it is suggested that the volume of distribution may increase also.

Adult↗

Pharmacokinetics of fleroxacin after multiple oral dosing in patients receiving regular hemodialysis.

The pharmacokinetic profile of fleroxacin was studied in eight noninfected patients receiving regular hemodialysis (four women and four men; mean age, 63 years; age range, 48 to 73 years). Dialysis clearances (mean +/- standard deviation) calculated from the amount of drug recovered in the dialysate exceeded those calculated from rates of extraction from plasma for fleroxacin (126 +/- 29 versus 73 +/- 11 ml/min) and its metabolite N-demethylfleroxacin (103 +/- 31 versus 72 +/- 15 ml/min) but not that for the metabolite fleroxacin N-oxide (100 +/- 25 versus 100 +/- 12 ml/min). Data were fitted to a two-compartment model over the total observation period of 8 days (six oral daily doses of 200 mg of fleroxacin on days 1 to 6 and hemodialysis treatments on day 1,3, and 6) by nonlinear mixed-effects modeling. The random variability of plasma fleroxacin concentrations was 13% about its prediction. The estimated metabolic clearance was 25 ml/min (coefficient of variation, 43%), and the calculated steady-state volume of distribution was 84 liters (coefficient of variation, 16%). The model was expanded for the two major metabolites by the addition of a two-compartment metabolite distribution. Formation clearances of N-demethylfleroxacin and fleroxacin N-oxide were estimated to be 54 and 33% of fleroxacin's metabolic clearance, respectively. The conclusions were as follows. Because of the slow metabolic clearance and intermittent dialysis treatment, steady-state conditions were not reached after 1 week of oral fleroxacin therapy, and there was relevant accumulation of fleroxacin as well as that of fleroxacin N-oxide in our patients with end-stage renal disease. We recommend that infected hemodialysis patients be treated with an initial oral dose of 400 mg of fleroxacin and then daily oral doses of 200 mg. One cannot recommend the treatment of this patient population with fleroxacin over prolonged time periods until more date about the levels of accumulation of fleroxacin and its metabolites in infected patients with renal disease are available.

Administration, Oral↗

In vitro activity of fleroxacin in combination with other antimicrobial agents.

The trifluoroquinolone fleroxacin inhibits the majority of Enterobacteriaceae at concentrations < or = 1 micrograms/mL and most Pseudomonas aeruginosa and staphylococci at < or = 2 micrograms/mL. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the combination of fleroxacin with other antimicrobial agents. Previous studies that used checkerboard assay, fixed concentrations, and killing curves were reviewed, and these methods were used to evaluate the combination of fleroxacin and agents that had not been previously studied. The combination of fleroxacin with such aminoglycosides as gentamicin, amikacin, and tobramycin is indifferent against most Enterobacteriaceae, as is the combination of fleroxacin with penicillins, cephalosporins, rifampin, clindamycin, and metronidazole. Combinations of fleroxacin with penicillins, cephalosporins, imipenem, aminoglycosides, clindamycin, metronidazole, and rifampin are indifferent against P. aeruginosa. Fosfomycin and fleroxacin acted synergistically against P. aeruginosa. Against staphylococci, combinations of fleroxacin with oxacillin, rifampin, or fosfomycin had synergistic or additive effects, whereas combinations of fleroxacin with vancomycin, gentamicin, or metronidazole have shown indifference. No synergy or antagonism has been found for combinations of fleroxacin with penicillin, vancomycin, erythromycin, clindamycin, or rifampin against streptococci or enterococci. The combination of fleroxacin and metronidazole has proved synergistic against various Bacteroides species. In general, combinations of fleroxacin with other antimicrobial agents display indifference and rarely synergy. Thus, fleroxacin can be combined with other antibiotics to enlarge the spectrum of activity.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Influence of rifampin on fleroxacin pharmacokinetics.

Staphylococcus aureus infections have been successfully treated in animal models with the combination of fleroxacin and rifampin. We studied the influence of rifampin, a potent cytochrome P-450 inducer, on the pharmacokinetics and biotransformation of fleroxacin in 14 healthy young male volunteers. Subjects were given 400 mg of fleroxacin orally once a day for 3 days to reach steady state. After a wash-out period of 2 days, the same subjects received 600 mg of rifampin orally once daily for 7 days. On days 5 to 7 of rifampin treatment, 400 mg of fleroxacin was again administered once daily. Concentrations of fleroxacin as well as its two major urinary metabolites, N-demethyl- and N-oxide-fleroxacin, in plasma and urine were determined by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The extent of hepatic enzyme induction by rifampin was confirmed by a significant increase of 6-beta-hydroxycortisol urinary output from 160.8 +/- 41.4 to 544.8 +/- 120.7 micrograms/4 h. There were no significant changes in the peak fleroxacin concentration in plasma (6.3 +/- 1.2 versus 6.2 +/- 1.9 mg/liter), time to maximum concentration of fleroxacin in plasma (1.1 +/- 0.9 versus 1.3 +/- 1.1 h), or renal clearance (58.3 +/- 16.4 versus 61.9 +/- 19.2 ml/min). The area under the curve AUC (71.4 +/- 15.8 versus 62.2 +/- 13.7 mg.h/liter) and the terminal half-life of fleroxacin (11.4 +/- 2.2 versus 9.2 +/- 1.1 h) decreased (P < 0.05), while the total plasma clearance increased from 97.7 +/- 21.6 to 112.3 +/- 25.8 ml/min (P < 0.01). Despite being statistically significant, this 15% increase in total plasma clearance does not appear to be clinically relevant. Metabolic clearance by N demethylation was increased ( 6.9 +/- 2.4 versus 12.5 +/- 3.2 ml/min; P < 0.01), whereas clearance by N oxidation did not change (5.8 +/- 1.1 versus 5.8 +/- 1.5 ml/min). Fleroxacin elimination was slightly increased (about 15%) through induction of metabolic clearance to N-demethyl-fleroxacin. Since fleroxacin levels remained above the MIC for 90% of the tested isolates of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus for at least 24 h, dose adjustment does not appear necessary, at least for short-term treatments.

Adult↗

Fleroxacin clinical pharmacokinetics.

Fleroxacin is a new member of the class of fluoroquinolones. The drug has good activity (i.e. minimum inhibitory concentrations at less than 2 mg/L against 90% of strains) against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. High performance liquid chromatography is used to determine concentrations of fleroxacin and its metabolites in biological fluids. Absorption of orally ingested drug is rapid as the peak plasma concentration of approximately 5 mg/L is reached in 1 to 2h after a single dose of 400mg. The systemic availability is close to 100%. Fleroxacin is poorly bound to plasma proteins (23%) and exhibits excellent tissue distribution. Renal clearance accounts for 60 to 70% of elimination. The drug is metabolised to form antimicrobially active N-demethyl-fleroxacin and inactive N-oxide-fleroxacin. In multiple dose studies the accumulation ratio of a once-daily dosage regimen is about 1.3, as predicted from the elimination half-life of 10 to 12h. Compared with ciprofloxacin, fleroxacin has a greater systemic availability and a longer half-life. Fleroxacin concentrations are higher in elderly patients, but further studies are needed to establish whether a dosage reduction should be recommended for this age group. In patients with renal disease dosage adjustment is recommended since a decreased renal clearance of fleroxacin leads to a significant prolongation of the elimination half-life. Fleroxacin is only poorly eliminated by peritoneal dialysis or haemodialysis. The most important drug-drug interaction is a decrease in systemic availability of fleroxacin after ingestion of aluminium- or magnesium-containing antacids. There is no evidence of a significant interaction between fleroxacin and theophylline. Only limited data are available on adverse reactions of fleroxacin. The most important adverse effects appear to be photosensitivity and a dose-dependent incidence of central nervous system reactions including sleep disorders.

Adult↗

Multicenter study of single-dose and multiple-dose fleroxacin versus ciprofloxacin in the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections.

The clinical efficacy and safety of single-dose and multiple-dose fleroxacin were assessed and compared with those of ciprofloxacin in women with uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) in this clinical study. This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, prospective study compared single-dose therapy with fleroxacin, 400 mg, with 7-day courses of fleroxacin, 200 mg once a day, and ciprofloxacin, 250 mg twice a day, in the treatment of uncomplicated symptomatic UTI in women at 18 centers in the United States. Of 961 patients enrolled, 316 were in the fleroxacin single-dose group, 321 in the fleroxacin 7-day group, and 324 in the ciprofloxacin group. Of these patients, 943 met the criteria for inclusion in the safety analysis and 556 met those for inclusion in the efficacy analysis. Bacteriologic cure rates at 5-9 days after therapy in patients evaluable for efficacy were 88%, 96%, and 96% in the single-dose fleroxacin group, 7-day fleroxacin group, and 7-day ciprofloxacin group, respectively (p < 0.05). Clinical cures occurred in 93.6%, 97.2%, and 98% of the groups, respectively (difference not significant). At 4-6 weeks after therapy, the rates of bacteriologic cure in the single-dose fleroxacin group, 7-day fleroxacin group, and 7-day ciprofloxacin group were 91%, 89%, and 93%, respectively (difference not significant). Adverse events were similar to those with other new quinolones and comparable among the treatment groups. Insomnia was more frequent in patients who received fleroxacin. Fleroxacin and ciprofloxacin as multidose regimens are similarly safe and effective in the treatment of uncomplicated UTI in women. Single-dose fleroxacin achieved a clinical response rate comparable to that achieved by the multiple-dose regimens, whereas its bacteriologic eradication rate was inferior.

Adolescent↗

The comparative activity of fleroxacin, three other quinolones and eight unrelated antimicrobial agents.

The in vitro activity of fleroxacin, a new trifluorinated quinolone was evaluated against 432 bacterial isolates. Fleroxacin was 1- to 2-fold less active than ciprofloxacin and at least as active as ofloxacin and lomefloxacin against most members of the family Enterobacteriaceae. The MICs of fleroxacin for 90% of strains tested (MIC90) were < or = 0.25 micrograms/ml against all isolates of Enterobacteriaceae except Citrobacter freundii (MIC90, 4 micrograms/ml) and Serratia marcescens (MIC90, 2 micrograms/ml). Fleroxacin was as active as ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and lomefloxacin against Pseudomonas spp, (MIC90 for all quinolones tested were > 8 micrograms/ml). Acinetobacter and Haemophilus influenzae were very susceptible to fleroxacin; however fleroxacin was 1-fold less active than lomefloxacin against Acinetobacter and at least 1-fold less active than ciprofloxacin or ofloxacin against H. influenzae. Methicillin-susceptible and -resistant strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis and methicillin-susceptible strains of S. aureus were very susceptible to fleroxacin, with an MIC90 < or = 1 microgram/ml (range 0.5-1 microgram/ml). Methicillin-resistant S. aureus and Staphylococcus spp. other than aureus and epidermidis were not susceptible to fleroxacin (MIC90 > 8 micrograms/ml). In addition, fleroxacin as well as ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and lomefloxacin were inactive against Enterococcus spp. (MIC90 > 8 micrograms/ml). Streptococcus pneumoniae and S. pyogenes were resistant to both fleroxacin and lomefloxacin but were very susceptible to ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin. These results suggest that fleroxacin represents a valid therapeutic option in the treatment of infections caused by most Enterobacteriaceae and some species of staphylococcus.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Fleroxacin versus norfloxacin for oral treatment of serious urinary tract infections.

Fleroxacin, 400 mg once daily, and norfloxacin, 400 mg twice daily, both administered orally, were compared for the treatment of serious urinary tract infections (UTIs). In total, 301 patients from multiple centers who had serious UTIs were randomized to receive fleroxacin or norfloxacin in a double-blind study. The demographic parameters of the two groups were similar. A total of 190 patients were evaluable for efficacy, 94 in the fleroxacin group and 96 in the norfloxacin group. The reasons for exclusion from the efficacy analysis were not significantly different in the two groups, but more patients receiving fleroxacin were prematurely withdrawn from the study. The majority (134) of the diagnoses were complicated UTI, and the pathogens were primarily Enterobacteriaceae. The clinical responses were cure or improvement in 98% of the fleroxacin group and 92% of the norfloxacin group and failure in 2% of the fleroxacin group and 7% of the norfloxacin group. The bacteriologic results by infection were cure in 98% of the fleroxacin group and 89% of the norfloxacin group (including cure with superinfection in 4% of the fleroxacin group and 5% of the norfloxacin group) and failure in 2% of the fleroxacin group and 11% of the norfloxacin group. Adverse events were more common in the fleroxacin group and were mostly nausea, insomnia, and headache. Fleroxacin, 400 mg once daily, was as effective as norfloxacin, 400 mg twice daily, in eradicating UTIs but was associated with more adverse events.

Administration, Oral↗

Effect of sucralfate on pharmacokinetics of fleroxacin in healthy volunteers.

The effect of sucralfate on the pharmacokinetics of fleroxacin was assessed in 20 healthy male volunteers. The study was of a two-way crossover design in which subjects were randomized to one of the following two regimens at the time of entry: (i) a single 400-mg dose of fleroxacin alone or (ii) a 400-mg dose of fleroxacin given once and 1 g of sucralfate given every 6 h starting 24 h before fleroxacin treatment and continuing for 48 h after fleroxacin treatment. Blood samples were collected immediately before fleroxacin administration and at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, 36, and 48 h postdosing. Fleroxacin concentrations in plasma and urine were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. While concurrent of fleroxacin and sucralfate resulted in a decrease in the area under the plasma concentration-time curve, a decrease in the maximum concentration, and an increase in the time to the maximum concentration (P < 0.05), these changes were modest compared with the interaction of other quinolones with sucralfate. The relative bioavailability of fleroxacin given with sucralfate, calculated from the area under the concentration-time curve, was 76% compared with that of fleroxacin alone. This is significantly better than the bioavailabilities of other quinolones (1.8 to 12.3%) when they are administered with sucralfate.

Adult↗

Activity of fleroxacin alone and in combination with clindamycin or metronidazole in experimental intra-abdominal abscesses.

To assess the potential efficacy of fleroxacin in combination with clindamycin or metronidazole in mixed aerobic and anaerobic infections, we used a rat model of intra-abdominal abscesses in which the inoculum consisted of pooled rat feces mixed with BaSO4. Two hours after bacterial challenge, antimicrobial therapy was begun intravenously with regimens designed to stimulate human pharmacokinetics. A combination of clindamycin and gentamicin was included as an established treatment regimen. After 8.5 days of therapy, final bacterial counts in abscesses showed that fleroxacin alone or combined with metronidazole or clindamycin effectively eradicated Escherichia coli, with bacterial densities of < or = 2.84 +/- 0.1, < or = 2.9 +/- 0.1, and < or = 2.9 +/- 0.1 (mean +/- standard error of the mean) log10 CFU/g, respectively. The addition of either clindamycin or metronidazole to fleroxacin substantially enhanced the effectiveness of the regimens against Bacteroides fragilis, with bacterial counts of < or = 3.0 +/- 0.1 or < or = 2.9 +/- 0.1 log10 CFU/g, respectively, versus 9.2 +/- 0.2 log10 CFU/g for fleroxacin alone. The combination of metronidazole and fleroxacin also resulted in a significantly greater reduction of peptostreptococci and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron than fleroxacin alone (< or = 2.9 +/- 0.1 versus 6.1 +/- 0.9 log10 CFU/g and 3.3 +/- 0.4 versus 8.3 +/- 0.1 log10 CFU/g, respectively). Except for those of B. fragilis, counts of other anaerobes were reduced to a greater extent by metronidazole plus fleroxacin than by clindamycin plus fleroxacin, although differences were not always significant. Metronidazole plus fleroxacin was at least as active a clindamycin plus gentamicin against all species and was significantly more active against Clostridium spp. No regimen effectively eradicated enterococci from the abscesses. These results suggest that the addition of either metronidazole or clindamycin would effectively enhance the spectrum of fleroxacin for treatment of mixed aerobic and anaerobic infections.

Abdomen↗

Disposition of fleroxacin, a new trifluoroquinolone, and its metabolites. Pharmacokinetics in renal failure and influence of haemodialysis.

The pharmacokinetics of fleroxacin and its metabolites following a single oral dose of fleroxacin 400mg were examined in 6 healthy subjects and 24 patients with various degrees of renal insufficiency. Plasma and urine samples, collected at various times after administration, were assayed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In healthy subjects, Cmax was 6.8 +/- 0.7 mg/L; tmax = about 1h, t1/2 = 14 +/- 2h, total clearance = 4.86 +/- 0.72 L/h and the percentage of unchanged fleroxacin excreted in urine in 48 hours was 48 +/- 4% (HPLC). Plasma concentrations of metabolites were very low and accounted for no more than 5% of the levels of unchanged fleroxacin. In uraemic patients Cmax did not change, whatever the degree of renal failure; tmax was increased in patients with a glomerular filtration rate below 0.6 L/h, and Vd/f was independent of the severity of renal failure. These data suggest that bioavailability of the drug is unchanged. In uraemic patients t1/2 was prolonged and AUC multiplied by a factor of 2 to 3. A linear relationship was found between total and renal clearances of fleroxacin and creatinine clearance. Accumulation of N-demethyl-fleroxacin and N-oxide-fleroxacin was very high in uraemic patients, due to slow formation of these metabolites and decreased urinary elimination. Dialysance of fleroxacin and of its metabolites was approximately 3.6 to 4.8 L/h. These findings suggest that fleroxacin dosage may need to be reduced in patients with severe renal disease; in haemodialysed patients, treated every 2 days, a single dose of fleroxacin 400mg is recommended at the end of each dialysis session.

Adult↗

Randomized double-blind trial of high- and low-dose fleroxacin versus norfloxacin for complicated urinary tract infection.

Patients were entered in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study to compare low- and high-dose fleroxacin with norfloxacin for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infection (UTI). A total of 296 patients were enrolled; 102, 97, and 97 patients were randomized to receive 200 mg of fleroxacin (low-dose), 400 mg of fleroxacin (high-dose), both once daily, or 400 mg of norfloxacin twice daily, respectively, for 10 days. Of these patients, 101, 94, and 95 were included in the safety analysis, and 71, 61, and 58 in the efficacy analysis. The main reason for exclusion from the efficacy analysis was failure to isolate a pathogen at baseline. The groups were comparable with respect to demographics. In the low-dose fleroxacin group, 68 (96%) of 71 patients had bacteriologic cures (eight with superinfection), compared with 56 (92%) of 61 in the high-dose fleroxacin group (two with superinfection) and 52 (90%) of 58 in the norfloxacin group (four with superinfection). Escherichia coli was the most frequent isolate in all groups. In the low-dose fleroxacin group, clinical cure was recorded in 61 (86%) of 71, improvement in six, and failure in four. In the high-dose group, clinical cure was noted in 58 (95%) of 61 patients, improvement in two, and failure in one. In the norfloxacin group, 50 (86%) of 58 patients were clinically cured, four were improved, and four failed. Clinical adverse events were reported by 22 (22%) of 101, 36 (38%) of 94, and 19 (20%) of 95 patients in the low-dose fleroxacin, high-dose fleroxacin, and norfloxacin groups, respectively. Insomnia and nausea were reported most frequently in the fleroxacin groups, and nausea and headache were most common in the norfloxacin group. The efficacy and safety of low-dose fleroxacin are comparable to those of norfloxacin for treatment of complicated UTI.

Adult↗

Efficacy of fleroxacin versus amoxicillin in acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.

In a multicenter study the efficacy and safety of oral fleroxacin at 400 mg once a day and amoxicillin at 500 mg three times daily for 7 days were compared for the treatment of patients with acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis due to drug-susceptible bacteria. A total of 194 patients were enrolled, 102 in the fleroxacin group and 92 in the amoxicillin group. Of those enrolled, 22 in the fleroxacin group and 30 (29 for clinical efficacy) in the amoxicillin group were included in the efficacy analysis. All were included in the safety analysis. Clinical success was noted in 21 (95%) of 22 fleroxacin-treated patients and 22 (76%) of 29 amoxicillin-treated patients. Bacteriologic cure was obtained in 21 (95%) of 22 of the fleroxacin group and 18 (60%) of 30 of the amoxicillin group. One Haemophilus parainfluenzae strain persisted with fleroxacin. Persisting organisms with amoxicillin included Haemophilus influenzae (four), Haemophilus parainfluenzae (three), Escherichia coli (two), Streptococcus pneumoniae (one), Neisseria species (one), and Proteus mirabilis (one). Adverse events were reported by 41% of 102 patients receiving fleroxacin and 15% of 92 patients receiving amoxicillin. Insomnia, dizziness, and nausea occurred more frequently with fleroxacin. Fleroxacin may be indicated for the treatment of acute bacterial infection in chronic bronchitis known to be due to Haemophilus species and Moraxella catarrhalis. The 92% incidence of resistance among the S. pneumoniae isolates recovered from all enrolled patients suggests that fleroxacin may not be useful for such infections.

Acute Disease↗

In-vitro activity of fleroxacin against urinary tract and genital tract pathogens.

The activity of fleroxacin was compared to those of nalidixic acid, ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole, tetracycline and penicillin against a total of 452 strains isolated from urinary tract and genital tract infections. These included strains resistant to gentamicin, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and beta-lactamase producing strains. MICs were determined by a standard agar dilution procedure using Mueller-Hinton agar. Fleroxacin inhibited 90% of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus spp., and Enterobacter spp. at less than or equal to 1 mg/l. All the gentamicin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae strains were highly susceptible to fleroxacin (MIC90 less than or equal to 0.5 mg/l). Against Pseudomonas, fleroxacin was the most active agent tested (MIC90 2 mg/l). All nalidixic acid-resistant strains were susceptible to fleroxacin (MIC90 less than or equal to 1 mg/l). The activity of fleroxacin was similar against methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible strains of Staph. aureus (MIC90 less than or equal to 0.5 mg/l). Against Neisseria gonorrhoeae, fleroxacin (MIC90 0.12 mg/l) was as active as penicillin and tetracycline. However against N. gonorrhoeae strains producing beta-lactamase, fleroxacin (MIC90 0.5 mg/l) was at least twice as active as tetracycline. Fleroxacin is a potent quinolone with in-vitro activity against a variety of resistant bacterial species.

Ampicillin↗

In vitro activities of fleroxacin against clinical isolates of Legionella spp., its pharmacokinetics in guinea pigs, and use to treat guinea pigs with L. pneumophila pneumonia.

The activities of fleroxacin against 22 clinical Legionella isolates were determined by agar and broth microdilution susceptibility testing. The fleroxacin MIC required to inhibit 90% of strains tested on buffered charcoal yeast extract agar medium supplemented with 0.1% alpha-ketoglutarate was 0.64 micrograms/ml and was 0.04 microgram/ml when testing was done with buffered yeast extract broth supplemented with 0.1% alpha-ketoglutarate. Fleroxacin (0.25 microgram/ml) reduced the bacterial counts of two L. pneumophila strains grown in guinea pig alveolar macrophages by 1 log10 CFU/ml, but regrowth occurred over a 3-day period; fleroxacin was significantly more active than erythromycin in this assay. Single-dose (10 mg/kg of body weight given intraperitoneally) pharmacokinetic studies performed in guinea pigs with L. pneumophila pneumonia revealed peak levels in plasma and lungs to be 3.3 micrograms/ml and 3.5 micrograms/g, respectively, at 0.5 h and 0.8 microgram/ml and 0.8 microgram/g, respectively, at 1 h. The half-life of the terminal phase of elimination from plasma and lung was approximately 2 h. All 17 infected guinea pigs treated with fleroxacin (10 mg/kg/day) for 2 days survived for 14 days post-antimicrobial therapy, as did all 16 guinea pigs treated with the same dose of fleroxacin for 5 days. Only 1 of 16 animals treated with saline survived. The animals treated with fleroxacin for 2 days lost more weight and had higher temperatures than those treated with the antibiotic for 5 days. Fleroxacin is effective against L. pneumophila in vitro and in a guinea pig model of Legionnaires' disease. Fleroxacin should be evaluated as a treatment for human Legionnaires' disease.

Animals↗