Medindia

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Fluoroquinolones - A Review I

J E
(Compiled by T R Ramanujam)
Prof Head, Department of pharmacology


INTRODUCTION

NEWER FLUOROQUINOLONES

Pharmacological ASPECTS of NEWER QUINOLONES

MAJOR CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

Pharmacological ASPECTS of NEWER QUINOLONES

Pharmacokinetics / Pharmacodynamics
  1. Excellent oral absorption
  2. Good tissue distribution
  3. Excellent interstitial fluid concentration
  4. Significant entry into phagocytic cells
  5. Excellent urinary concentration on oral administration
  6. Longer plasma half life and o/d drug regimen
  7. [Grepafloxacin, Sparfloxacin, Trovafloxacin, Moxifloxacin,Gatifloxacin,Gemifloxacin and Sitafloxacin]
ABSORPTION

The absorption of quinolones are reduced by Antacids containing Al+++, Ca++, Mg++, and Fe++ salts and dairy products . Some of the quinolones are available for IV use viz., Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin. Almost all the newer quinolones have excellent tissue distribution and attain high concentration in the interstitial fluid but only a few quinolones viz., Trovafloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, Pefloxacin, and Ofloxacin penetrate blood barrier. Protein binding varies to some extent.

Norfloxacin, Lomefloxacin & Gatifloxacin - Lowest binding

Trovafloxacin, Rulofloxacin & Clinafloxacin – Highest binding

EXCRETION

Similarly quinolones exhibit differences the route of elimination Viz.,

Predominanatlyby Renal elimination include; Ofloxacin,  Levofloxacin,Lomefloxacin,Rufloxacin, and Gatifloxacin.

While those predominantly by hepatic elimination include; Nalidixic acid,Pefloxacin,Sparfloxacin and Grepafloxacin.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Flouroquinolones exhibit concentration dependent killing and therefore adminsitered O/day,twice a day regimen. In animal models a 24 hour AUC/MIC    (Area under the concentration-time curve/minimum inhibitory concentration) ratio to be the best predictor of bacterial killing in vivo. With the peak plasma concentration Cmax / MIC ratio being important for some bacteria to prevent emergence of resistance during treatment. Human studies ( and animal models) with ciprofloxacin, Grepafloxacin, and Levofloxacin show that a 24 hrs AUC/MIC ratio of about 100, or a Cmax / MIC ratio of about 10 gives maximum clinical and bacteriological efficacy. These values can be used to predict the efficacy of different agents against different pathogens , and to define" Pharmacodynamic Breakpoints".

DRUG REGIMEN

The dosage schedules for the following quinolones have “Break points” ranging from 0.25 to 1 namely.,

1. Ciprofloxacin 500mg bd

2. Norfloxacin 400mg bd

3. Pefloxacin 200mg bd

3. Ofloxacin 400mg/d or 200mg bd

4. Fleroxacin 400mg/d

5. Gatifloxacin400mg/d

6. Grepafloxacin400mg/d

7. Livofloxacin 500mg/d

8. Lomefloxacin 400mg/d

9. Moxifloxacin  500mg/d

10. Sparfloxacin 200mg/d

11. Trovafloxacin 200mg/d

12. Sitafloxacin 100mg bd
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