Photosensitivity induced by lomefloxacin versus other fluoroquinolones: A meta-analysis

Lomefloxacin may be more likely than other fluoroquinolones to cause photosensitivity. However, the rate of photosensitivity is variable and a meta-analysis has yet to be performed. The aim of this meta-analysis is to compare the rate of photosensitivity between outpatients who received lomefloxacin and those who received other fluoroquinolones. PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library databases and trial registries were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of outpatients through June 12, 2019. The study outcome was the rate of photosensitivity based on the intention-to-treat principle, estimated by risk difference (RD) as the primary analysis and Peto odds ratio (Peto OR) as the secondary analysis, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using random-effects models. Four RCTs (total of 2295 patients) were included in this meta-analysis. A statistically higher risk of photosensitivity was found with lomefloxacin than with other fluoroquinolones (RD, 3.4%; 95% CI, 0.7%-6.2%; P-value = 0.013; I² = 10.9%). The odds of photosensitivity was also significantly higher with lomefloxacin (Peto OR, 5.81; 95% CI, 3.34 to 10.11; P-value <0.001; I² = 0%). This meta-analysis of RCTs found significantly higher photosensitivity with lomefloxacin compared to other fluoroquinolones. Considering this finding and given its lack of additional efficacy compared to other fluoroquinolones, lomefloxacin as a fluoroquinolone option should potentially be reconsidered.