EFFICACY OF ORAL OFLOXACIN AND CIPROFLOXACIN

The efficacy of the 4-quinolones ciprofloxacin (CPX) and ofloxacin (OFX) was studied in a cross-over study. Twenty out-patients with cystic fibrosis and chronic colonization of the respiratory tract with Pseudomonas aeruginosa were treated for ten days with OFX, then another ten days with CPX, and vice versa. Drug concentrations in serum and sputum were assayed. The patients'' clinical and laboratory parameters were monitored. The side-effects that appeared did not require interrupting treatment. The serum and sputum concentrations were found to be above the minimal inhibitory concentration. Although P. aeruginosa was not eliminated by the therapy, two-thirds of the patients showed improvement during the infection that could be observed clinically and in laboratory measurements. Oral treatment with OFX and CPX is efficacious.