A randomized controlled trial on gatifloxacin vs levofloxacin in the treatment of acute lower respiratory tract infections

Objectives:The safety and efficacy of gatifloxacin vs levofloxacin were evaluated by a randomized controlled trial in the treatment of acute lower respiratory tract infections. Methods:The regimen for gatifloxacin was 0.4 g oral qd and for levofloxacin was 0.2 g oral bid for 7～14 d. Results: Forty eight cases were divided and treated in two groups,23 in gatifloxacin group and 25 in levofloxacin group. The clinical cure rates in two groups were 69.6%(16/23) vs 72.0%(18/25); effective rates were 100% vs 96.0%, bacterial eradication rates were 100% vs 90.0%,adverse reaction rates were 11.5%(3/26) vs 4.0%(1/25). All of those adverse reactions were gastrointestinal tract reactions. There were respectively 9 and 13 abnormality of laboratory inspections associated with trial drugs, which happened to 8 and 9 patients in two groups. The reactions were mainly exaltation of aminotransferase and amylase. All of these adverse events were mild and reversible without affecting the therapy. Conclusions:Results suggested that gatifloxacin is a potent antibiotic agent and can be recommended to treat acute lower respiratory tract infection .