[Biochemical, pharmacokinetic and bacteriologic properties of ofloxacin]

Ofloxacin belongs to the family of the fluoroquinolones whose structure has considerably improved the antibacterial activity of the pharmacokinetics properties of this type of antibiotics. The fluoroquinolones inhibit the DNA bacterial gyrase preventing the curling of the bacterial nucleic acid inside the nucleus. The spectrum of activity of ofloxacin contains most of the Gram-negative bacteria, the Gram-positive cocci with a lesser activity on the pneumococci and the methicillin-resistant staphylococci. Ofloxacin is not active on certain anaerobic mycobacteria. It is active on certain mycobacteria. The preferential indications of ofloxacin are low urinary or complicated infections, genital infections for example with gonococcus, osteoarticular infections and diarrhoea. For respiratory infections, ofloxacin can be recommended in the treatment of bronchial over-infections with negative Gram in chronic bronchial patients or in the course of the mucoviscidosis and infections of the ORL sphere (otitis, sinusitis) when repeated or when they become chronic. The high tolerance of ofloxacin makes it easier to use as it exists in both oral and injectable forms permitting easy use in hospitals.