PEFLOXACIN

It is bactericidal antibiotic having a broad spectrum of activity against 1. Gram-negative organisms Enterobacteriaceae including E. coli, Salmonella species, Klebsiella species, Shigella, Proteus mirabills, Proteus vulgaris, K. oxytoca, Yersinia enterocolitica, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, Morganella morganil 2. Other Gram-Negative Organisms: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Haemophilus influenzae, Acinetobacter, Campylobacter, Brucella melitensis, Pasteurella multocida, Eikenella corrodenus, Flavobacterium, Moraxella, Gardnerella vaginalis, Legionella species, Vibrio cholerae and vibrio parahemolyticus. Neisseria meningitidis and Neiserria gonorrhoea including b-lactamase producing strains. 3. Gram-Positive Organisms Staphylococcus aureus including B -lactamase producing and methicillin-resistant strains, Streptococcus pneumoniae, group A b-hemolytic streptococci, group B streptococci and other streptococci, Enterococci including Enterococcus faecalis, Corynebacterium and Listeria monocytogenes. 4. Other Organisms Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycobacteria and some strains of Bacteroides.

Indications

Respiratory tract, urinary tract, skin and soft , surgical, bone and joint, gynaecological. Sexually transmitted, gastrointestinal and severe systemic infections.

Dosage

Adults and children over 15 yrs 800 mg daily in 2 divided doses. PARENTERAL ADMINISTRATION: Slow infusion twice daily. Content of 1 ampoule (400 mg) should be diluted in at least 250 ml of 5% glucose to be administered in not less than one hour. Donot dilute Pefloxacin in NaCl solution or any other solution containing chloride ions.

Contra-Indications

Hypersensitivity to quinolones. Children under 15 yrs pregnancy, lactation.

Special Precautions

Avoid exposure to ultraviolet light during treatment with Pefloxacin due to risk of photo sensitivity reactions, hepatic insufficiency, Concomitant use of aluminium and magnesium containing antacids. Paediatrics: Safety in children below the age of 15 years not established. Pregnancy: Unsafe. Lactation: Unsafe. Elderly: Safe.

Side Effects

Gastro intestinal disturbances, muscle and joint pains, Photosensitivity reactions, neurological disturbances (headache,insomnia) thrombo-cytopenia (at doses of 1600mg daily)may occur.

Drug Interactions

Antacids interfere with absorption. increased anticoagulant effect of warfarin. Theophylline kinetics may be altered by concomitant use of pefloxacin. Rifampicin reduces serum levels.