title: Long-term safety of ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin in the treatment of mycobacterial infections.
abstract: Ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin are potentially useful agents for treating mycobacterial infections. We retrospectively reviewed 7 years' experience with these agents in 103 patients. Ofloxacin was used primarily to treat tuberculosis (TB), dosed to achieve 2-hour postdose serum concentrations of 8-12 micrograms/ml. Ciprofloxacin was used primarily to treat Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection, dosed to achieve 2-hour post-dose serum concentrations of 4-6 micrograms/ml. Despite differences in patient characteristics, underlying disease, and concurrent medications, ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were associated with a similar spectrum and incidence of adverse reactions. Both drugs were generally well tolerated. Adverse effects led to an ofloxacin dosage change in 1 patient (3%) and discontinuation of ofloxacin in 2 patients (6%). Adverse effects led to a ciprofloxacin dosage change in 2 patients (3%) and discontinuation of ciprofloxacin in 5 patients (7%). Ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin appear to be tolerated as well as or better than other "second-line" antimycobacterial drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Denver, CO 80206, USA.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Berning
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Madsen
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Iseman
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Peloquin
mesh_terms: D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015270:Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D018088:Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / Q000188:drug therapy; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D015242:Ofloxacin