Clinical randomized controlled trials of Gatifloxacin in the treatment of lower respiratory tract bacterial infections using introvenous to oral step down therapy

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Gatifloxacin compared with Levofloxacin in the treatment of lower respiratory tract bacterial infections using introvenous to oral step down therapy. Methods: A total of 52 patients (51 with community acquired pneumonia and 1 with acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis)were included in this study, 26 cases treated with Gatifloxacin were compared with 26 cases treated with Levofloxacin. Drugs were first administered intravenously at a dose of 400 mg of Gatifloxacin,once a day or 200 mg of Levofloxacin, q 12 h for 3～5 days,then taked orally at a dose of 400 mg of Gatifloxacin,once a day or 400 mg of Levofloxacin, q 12 h ,the total period of treatment was 7～14 days. Results: The overall clinical efficacious rates and cure rates of Gatifloxacin was 100%, 96.2 % and 76.9%,65.4% in Levofloxacin group,There was no significant difference( P 0.05)between two group in the clinical efficacy rates and cure rates. There was also no significant difference( 94.4% to 68.4 %, P 0.05)between Gatifloxacin and Levofloxacin in the bacterial clearance rates. The incidence of adverse drug reactions(30.8%)for Gatifloxacin was low, and no severe adverse drug reactions was found. Conclusions: Gatifloxacin is an effective and safe antibiotics for the treatment of lower respiratory tract bacterial infection in introvenous to oral step down therapy.