A randomized, patient-blind, multicenter comparison of gatifloxacin versus levofloxacin in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections and urinary tract infections

Objective: This study compared the clinical and bacteriological efficacy and tolerability of gatifloxacin versus levofloxacin in adult patients with lower respiratory tract infections(LRTI) and urinary tract infections(UTI). Methods: In this randomized, patient blind, multicenter, comparable study 248 patients were evaluable, 125 in gatifloxacin group with 50 cases of LRTI and 75 UTI;123 in levofloxacin group with 54 cases of LRTI and 69 UTI. Dosage regimen used: gatifloxacin 400?mg once daily or levofloxacin 200?mg twice daily for 7-14 days in patients with LRTI and UTI, gatifloxacin 200?mg once daily or levofloxacin 100?mg twice daily for 5 days in patients with uncomplicated UTI. Results: Clinical cure rates and total effective rates were 68.8%(86 /125), 95.2%(119 /125) in the gatifloxacin group, and 63.4%(78 /123), 91.9%(113 /123) in the levofloxacin group; the corresponding bacterial eradication rates were 89.3%(100 /112) and 89.5%(94 /105) respectively. The clinical adverse reaction rates were 25.3%(40 /158) and 18.6%(30 /161) and abnormal laboratory tests were 14.7%(22 /150) and 15.8%(24 /152) in two groups respectively. No significant difference in the above figures between the two groups. Conclusion: Gatifloxacin is as effective and safe as levofloxacin in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infection and urinary tract infection.