Gemifloxacin

Gemifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent which has an enhanced affinity for topoisomerase IV. It has potent activity against most Gram-po sitive bacteria, particularly Streptococcus pneumoniae. Gemifloxacin is ove r 30-fold mon active than ciprofloxacin and 4- to 8-fold more active than m oxifloxacin against this pathogen. Gemifloxacin has excellent activity against Haemophilus influenzae and Mora xella catarrhalis, and is unaffected by beta-lactamase production. It is ge nerally 2-fold less active than ciprofloxacin against most Enterobacteriace ae. Atypical respiratory pathogens (Legionella, Mycoplasma and Chlamydia spp.) are highly susceptible to gemifloxacin. Preliminary results from phase II trials show that oral gemifloxacin 320 mg /day produced bacteriological responses of 94.7% in patients with acute exa cerbations of chronic bronchitis and 95% of patients with uncomplicated uri nary tract infections. Adverse events included nausea, abdominal pain, headache and mild rash in p atients and healthy volunteers treated with gemifloxacin 320 mg/day. Gemifl oxacin has a low potential for phototoxicity (comparable to that of ciprofl oxacin).