Enoxacin in lower respiratory tract infections

In this open, non-comparative study 45 lower respiratory tract infections were treated with the new 4-quinolone, enoxacin. Special attention was paid to infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas infections were treated with 600 mg bd. whereas infections caused by other bacteria were treated with 400 mg enoxacin bd. In 43 cases efficacy could be assessed. In six out of 23 cases Pseudomonas spp. were eradicated from the sputum. In 12 of the remaining 17 cases a clear reduction in bacterial numbers and a decrease of sputum volume and purulence were obtained. Clinical improvement or cure was obtained in 20 out of the 23 cases. Most of the causative microorganisms in the other infections were eradicated. In two patients Staphylococcus aureus persisted. Overgrowth with streptococci occurred in three patients. Adverse reactions were frequent and occurred in 29 out of 45 treatment periods. They were mainly related to the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system. In 25 out of 30 patients on concomitant treatment with theophylline an elevation of plasma theophylline concentrations occurred. Twelve of these patients developed signs and symptoms possibly related to theophylline toxicity. After treatment with enoxacin the MICs of most persisting Pseudomonas strains were two to four times higher than pre-treatment values.