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

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 pediatric bacterial conjunctivitis. Treatment with 0.5% levofloxacin achieved microbial eradication rates in children that were statistically superior to those attained with 0.3% ofloxacin or placebo.