Moxifloxacin (Avelox): An 8-methoxyquinolone antibacterial with enhanced potency

Moxifloxacin is a novel 8-methoxyquinolone with enhanced potency against im portant Gram-positive pathogens, notably Streptococcus pneumoniae. It retai ns class activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Currently available for o ral use, it has a prolonged half-life, enabling once-daily administration a nd reflecting balanced renal and hepatic elimination. Clinical trials have demonstrated an excellent safety record with minor class effects in the ski n and gastrointestinal systems. Potential for phototoxicity is minimal and moxifloxacin is free of clinically significant neurological, hepatic or car diac effects. Investigated primarily in respiratory infections, moxifloxaci n has shown excellent performance in community-acquired pneumonia (both pne umococcal and atypical), acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and acut e maxillary sinusitis. It is available in many European countries and in th e US where it is rapidly establishing clinical acceptance and formulary inc lusion.