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Efficacy and safety of 0.5% levofloxacin ophthalmic solution for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis in pediatric patients

Lichtenstein SJ, Rinehart M, Levofloxacin Bacterial Conjunctivitis Study Group

Journal of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, 2003

167 participants · 36 citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety of 0.5% levofloxacin ophthalmic solution (Quixin; Santen, Napa, CA) with 0.3% ofloxacin (Ocuflox; Allergan Inc., Irvine, CA) and placebo for the treatment of pediatric bacterial conjunctivitis.

METHODS: This study was a subset analysis of 167 pediatric patients (age range, 1 to 16 years) from two randomized, double-masked, multicenter, parallel group studies. Eye drops were instilled every 2 hours on days 1 and 2 and every 4 hours on days 3 through 5. Ocular signs and symptoms were noted, and conjunctival cultures were obtained on day 1 (baseline), days 3 to 5 (interim), and days 6 to 10 (final). Endpoint was defined as the last evaluable observation. Microbial and clinical outcomes were based on culture results and cardinal signs, respectively.

RESULTS: At endpoint (mean of 6.5 days for 118 evaluable patients), 0.5% levofloxacin treatment demonstrated greater microbial eradication rates (percentage of patients with absence of causative organisms cultured at baseline) compared with 0.3% ofloxacin or placebo. In children age 2 to 11 years, this finding was statistically significant in favor of 0.5% levofloxacin (87% vs 62% with 0.3% ofloxacin [P < or =.032] and 88% vs 24% with placebo [P <.001]). No significant differences between treatment groups in microbial eradication rates were noted in other age subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS: After 5 days of therapy, 0.5% levofloxacin ophthalmic solution was found to be safe and effective in treating…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 167 participants or records.

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