Pefloxacin is indicated in adult for the treatment of single infection or mixed infections caused by two or more susceptible microorganisms. It can also be used for infections caused by organisms resistant to other antibiotics. Pefloxacin is indicated to the following manifestations:
Gastrointestinal infection: Enteric fever, acute bacterial diarrhoea & chronic Salmonella carriers.
Urinary tract infection: Cystitis, pyelonephritis, prostatitis, epididymitis, uncomplicated and complicated urethritis.
Respiratory tract infection: Pneumonia, acute and chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, empyema.
Ear, nose and throat infection: Otitis media, otitis externa, sinusitis, tonsillitis.
Bone and joint infection: Osteomyelitis, arthritis.
Skin and soft tissue infection: Infected ulcer, wound infection, abscess, cellulitis, erysipelas and infected burn.
Pelvic infection: Salpingitis, endometritis, pelviperitonitis.
Abdominal and hepatobiliary infection: Peritonitis, intra abdominal abscess and cholingitis, cholecystitis and empyema of the gall bladder.
Also used in septicemia, bacteraemia, gonorrhoea, endocarditis, meningitis.
Pefloxacin is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to Quinolone, children under 15 years of age, pregnant and lactating mothers, patient with inborn glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and patients with history of tendon lesion, tendonitis or tendon rupture.
Occasionally observed reactions are - Gastrointestinal disturbance: Epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dyspepsia. Central nervous system disturbance: Headache, insomnia. Hypersensitivity reaction: Skin rash, pruritis, photosensitization. Others: Myalgia and/or arthralgia, tendonitis, rupture of achilles tendon.
Pefloxacin has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA.
Because of the risk of photosensitivity reaction, exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet radiation should be avoided during Pefloxacin therapy. Dosage readjustment is required in severe hepatic insufficiency. Patients should be informed of the possibility of pain in the achilles tendon.
4-Quinolone preparations
Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.