An uncontrolled trial of pefloxacin in the retreatment of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.
OBJECTIVE
To study the role of Pefloxacin in the retreatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.


METHODS
14 cases of sputum smear-positive tuberculosis were given pefloxacin in doses of 400 mg daily, along with isoniazid and thioacetazone plus additional drugs wherever indicated. They were followed and assessed by sputum smear microscopy and chest X-ray regularly for the total duration, which ranged from 15-18 months.


RESULTS
10 of the patients completed treatment and achieved a satisfactory response in the form of persistent sputum, negativity and radiologically quiescent disease. Two developed serious side-effects and had to discontinue medication. One patient failed on therapy as evidenced by persistent sputum positivity at 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Pefloxacin may have a role in the retreatment of pulmonary tuberculosis along with other drugs, as a companion drug in selected cases. The other advantages are the low cost of treatment and high safety profile.
Rao
S
S
Department of Chest Diseases and Allergy, KMC, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015366:Pefloxacin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011859:Radiography; D012008:Recurrence; D013828:Thioacetazone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D015366:Pefloxacin; D013828:Thioacetazone; D007538:Isoniazid