Clinical Efficacy of Pefloxacin in Complicated Urinary Tract Infections, Uncomplicated Gonococcal Urethritis, Prostatitis and Epididymitis

Abstract

This paper reviews the antibacterial in vitro activity of pefloxacin against uropathogens associated with complicated and/or hospital-acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs) and presents data from published studies investigating the therapy of complicated UTIs (including acute pyelonephritis), uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis, bacterial prostatitis, and epididymitis. Results from the published literature have demonstrated that pefloxacin is a useful treatment alternative in complicated UTIs with or without pyelonephritis, as single dose therapy in uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis in men, and in acute exacerbation of bacterial prostatitis and acute epididymitis. In a number of controlled studies investigating the efficacy and safety of pefloxacin in complicated UTI/pyelonephritis, results were similar to those with the comparator agents (ofloxacin, gentamicin or cefotaxime), although patient population sizes were not large enough to allow for the testing of equivalence according to accepted statistical methods. According to 2 dose-finding studies, it would appear desirable to investigate a once-daily regimen more closely, using either pefloxacin 800 or 400mg, considering the advantages of improved patient compliance.