Moxifloxacin versus cephalexin in the treatment of uncomplicated skin infections

The efficacy and safety of oral moxifloxacin (400 mg once daily, 7 days) ve rsus cephalexin (500 mg three times daily, 7 days) were compared in a prosp ective, multicentre, randomised, double-blind trial in 401 adults with unco mplicated skin infections. Clinical outcome was evaluated in 351 patients, Moxifloxacin proved to be as effective as cephalexin both clinically (90% v ersus 91%, respectively) and bacteriologically in eradicating the most freq uently isolated pathogen Staphylococcus aureus (92% and 93%, respectively), Moxifloxacin was more effective than cephalexin in eliminating Streptococc us spp, (90% and 82%, respectively). Drug-related adverse events were compa rable in both treatment groups with the most frequently reported being naus ea in the moxifloxacin-treated patients and headache in the cephalexin-trea ted patients. Medication was discontinued due to unwanted reactions in 3% o f the moxifloxacin- and 4% of the cephalexin-treated patients. Moxifloxacin , 400 mg once daily for 7 days, is as safe and effective as cephalexin 500 mg three times daily for 7 days in the treatment of uncomplicated skin infe ctions.