Moxifloxacin

Moxifloxacin is a new fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent with a broad spec trum of activity, encompassing Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. It has improved activity against Gram-positive species (including staphylococ ci, streptococci, enterococci) and anaerobes compared with ciprofloxacin. T his is offset by slightly lower activity against pseudomonal species and En terobacteriaceae. In common with other fluoroquinolones, moxifloxacin attains good penetratio n into respiratory tissues and fluids and its bioavailability is substantia lly reduced by coadministration with an antacid or iron preparation. Howeve r, moxifloxacin does not interact with theophylline or warfarin. In clinical trials in patients with community-acquired pneumococcal pneumon ia (CAP), acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB) or acute sinusit is, moxifloxacin 400mg once daily achieved bacteriological and/or clinical success rates of approximately 90% or higher. Moxifloxacin was as effective as amoxicillin Ig 3 times daily and clarithro mycin 500mg twice daily in CAP and as effective as clarithromycin in AECB. In patients with sinusitis, a 7-day course of moxifloxacin 400mg once daily was as effective as a 10-day course of cefuroxime axetil 250mg twice daily . In contrast to some other fluoroquinolones, moxifloxacin appears to have a low propensity for causing phototoxic and CNS excitatory effects. The most common adverse events are gastrointestinal disturbances.