Gemifloxacin: a new fluoroquinolone approved for treatment of respiratory infections. Ann Pharmacother

www.theannals.com The emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens has cre-ated an impetus for the development of agents with en-hanced activity. Gemifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone ap-proved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in April 2003 for treatment of mild to moderate community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (AECB). Compared with other fluoro-quinolones, it possesses enhanced in vitro activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae, including isolates resistant to β-lactams, macrolides, and ciprofloxacin, while retaining ac-tivity against gram-negative and atypical pathogens. Like other fluoroquinolones, gemifloxacin has insufficient activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). While there is an appreciable number of research publica-tions characterizing the in vitro activity of gemifloxacin, clini-cal trials are less abundant.1-3 This review compiles the results of recently published in vitro and clinical trials and considers information included in the New Drug Application. Particu-lar attention is given to the utility and safety of this agent