ONCE-DAILY SPARFLOXACIN VERSUS HIGH-DOSAGE AMOXICILLIN IN THE TREATMENT OF COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED, SUSPECTED PNEUMOCOCCAL PNEUMONIA IN ADULTS

The objective of this randomized, double-blind, multicenter study of 3 29 adult patients requiring hospitalization was to compare the safety and efficacy of sparfloxacin at a dosage of 200 mg once daily (followi ng a 400-mg loading dose on day 1) with those of amoxicillin given as a 1-g oral dose three times daily for treatment of community-acquired pneumonia suspected to be due to Streptococcus pneumoniae. Success of treatment was determined by a combination of clinical assessment and c hest radiography, Pneumococcal pneumonia was the confirmed diagnosis f or 177 patients (54%). Overall rates of success among evaluable patien ts were equivalent between drugs, both at the end of treatment (sparfl oxacin, 92%; amoxicillin, 87%) and at follow-up (sparfloxacin, 89%; am oxicillin, 84%). Sparfloxacin was well-tolerated and produced fewer ga strointestinal effects than amoxicillin. In conclusion, sparfloxacin i s a safe and effective alternative to high-dose amoxicillin for the tr eatment of suspected pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia.