The tolerance and pharmacokinetics of clinafloxacin (CI-960) in healthy subjects

The single-dose tolerance and pharmacokinetics of clinafloxacin, a new fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent, were evaluated in healthy volunteers. Single oral doses of 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg were well tolerated. Adverse events after placebo and clinafloxacin were similar, with mild drowsiness, dizziness, headache, and rash being reported most frequently. The frequency and intensity of side-effects did not increase with dose. Clinafloxacin was rapidly absorbed, with C-max occurring at approximately 40 min postdose. Plasma concentrations increased proportionately and, following 100 or 200 mg doses, remained above MIC(90)s required for most nosocomial pathogens for at least 12 h. Clinafloxacin elimination half-life averaged 5.2 h and renal clearance was approximately 200 mL/min. About 50% of the administered dose was excreted unchanged in the urine.