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Clinical Trial
. 2002 Apr;86(4):387-9.
doi: 10.1136/bjo.86.4.387.

Vitreous penetration of levofloxacin in the uninflamed phakic human eye

E N Herbert  1 , I A Pearce, J McGalliard, D Wong, C Groenewald
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Vitreous penetration of levofloxacin in the uninflamed phakic human eye

E N Herbert et al. Br J Ophthalmol. 2002 Apr.

Abstract

Aims: To assess the vitreous penetration of oral levofloxacin (a new fluoroquinolone antibiotic with improved Gram positive activity) in uninflamed phakic eyes.

Methods: 15 patients for macula hole surgery were recruited to the study. 10 received a single 500 mg dose of levofloxacin by mouth preoperatively. Five acted as controls. Serum and undiluted vitreous samples were obtained at surgery and analysed by HPLC.

Results: Levofloxacin was detectable 2.5 hours after administration in the vitreous. A peak concentration of 1.6 microg/ml (or mg/l) was measured between 2.5 and 4 hours post-dose.

Conclusion: Oral levofloxacin reaches the vitreous rapidly in the uninflamed phakic eye. Levels did not reach MIC(90) for the commonest infecting organisms. Nevertheless, levofloxacin would be expected to be active against a higher proportion of infecting organisms than either ciprofloxacin or ofloxacin.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Levofloxacin levels in vitreous and serum after oral administration.
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