Gemifloxacin use in the treatment of acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis.

Abstract

The newest generation of fluoroquinolones have proven efficacy against bacterial organisms associated with acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (AECB). Gemifloxacin, as one of the quinolones in this class, exhibits many of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of the class with a few notable differences. Against Streptococccus pneumoniae it has a lower minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) than the other respiratory fluoroquinolones and it has activity against both bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. The increased activity of gemifloxacin against both enzymes may be associated with decreased rates of resistance. Clinically, gemifloxacin has been shown to have positive effects on length of hospitalization and increased success at long-term follow-up in AECB patients. These associations were observed in noninferiority comparison studies. Although an advantage with the use of gemifloxacin in AECB is suggested, there are no comparison data is available to conclude that gemifloxacin is superior to the other respiratory fluoroquinolones. Gemifloxacin is generally well tolerated, but is associated with a characteristic rash and gastrointestinal upset as its most common observed side effects.

• Authors: Cristian Jivcu, Mark Gotfried
• Journal: International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis) Vol. 4 Pg. 291-300 ( 2009) ISSN: 1178-2005 [Electronic] New Zealand
• PMID: 19684863 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Fluoroquinolones
• Naphthyridines
• Gemifloxacin

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (adverse effects, economics, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
• Bronchitis, Chronic (drug therapy, economics, microbiology)
• Cost-Benefit Analysis
• Disease Models, Animal
• Drug Costs
• Drug Resistance, Bacterial
• Fluoroquinolones (adverse effects, economics, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
• Gemifloxacin
• Humans
• Microbial Sensitivity Tests
• Naphthyridines (adverse effects, economics, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome