title: Pharmacokinetics and aqueous humor penetration of levofloxacin 1.5% and moxifloxacin 0.5% in patients undergoing cataract surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin 1.5% and moxifloxacin hydrochloride 0.5% ophthalmic solutions in aqueous humor after multiple doses prior to cataract surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-eight eyes underwent cataract surgery and met the requirements of PK analysis. Eligible eyes were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive levofloxacin or moxifloxacin prior to cataract surgery and were randomized into one of four sampling time points (ie, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hour post-last dose). Randomization was investigator and laboratory-masked. Three days prior to cataract surgery, each patient instilled one drop of the assigned study medication into the operative eye four times daily. One aqueous humor specimen was collected from the eye at the randomized time point. Aqueous humor specimens were assayed for drug concentration using a validated liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Concentrations of the drug in the aqueous humor, as described by mean Cmax and pooled AUC0-6 values, were greater for levofloxacin than moxifloxacin (Cmax: 1.43, 0.87 μg/ml, respectively, P=0.008; AUC0-6 6.1, 3.8 μg·min/ml, P<0.001 respectively). No treatment-emergent adverse events were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significantly greater drug exposures were attained in aqueous humor following the administration of levofloxacin 1.5% than moxifloxacin 0.5% ophthalmic solution. Achieving considerable higher drug concentration in the aqueous humor with levofloxacin 1.5% may demonstrate a greater potential for bacterial eradication.
authors.affiliation: Bucci Laser Vision Institute, Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Frank A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Bucci
authors.affiliation: Bucci Laser Vision Institute, Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Ines Teuma
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Nguimfack
authors.affiliation: Bucci Laser Vision Institute, Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Angel T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Fluet
keywords: antibiotics; concentration; endophthalmitis; fluoroquinolone; phacoemulsification; prophylaxis