Pefloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Pefloxacin inhibits the activity of microbial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. This disrupts DNA replication and prevents cell division.
Pefloxacin is only found in individuals that have used or taken this drug. It is a synthetic broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent active against most gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. [PubChem]The bactericidal action of pefloxacin results from interference with the activity of the bacterial enzymes DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, which are needed for the transcription and replication of bacterial DNA. DNA gyrase appears to be the primary quinolone target for gram-negative bacteria. Topoisomerase IV appears to be the preferential target in gram-positive organisms. Interference with these two topoisomerases results in strand breakage of the bacterial chromosome, supercoiling, and resealing. As a result DNA replication and transcription is inhibited.
Mechanism of Action of Pefloxacin
The bactericidal action of pefloxacin results from interference with the activity of the bacterial enzymes DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, which are needed for the transcription and replication of bacterial DNA. DNA gyrase appears to be the primary quinolone target for gram-negative bacteria. Topoisomerase IV appears to be the preferential target in gram-positive organisms. Interference with these two topoisomerases results in strand breakage of the bacterial chromosome, supercoiling, and resealing. As a result DNA replication and transcription is inhibited.
Indications of Pefloxacin
- For the treatment of uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis in males and for gram-negative-bacterial infections in the gastrointestinal system and the genitourinary tract.
- Uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis in males.[2]
- Bacterial infections in the gastrointestinal system.[2]
- Genitourinary tract infections.[2]
- Gonorrhea. however, this indication is no longer effective due to bacterial resistance.[3]
- Pefloxacin has been increasingly used as a veterinary medicine to treat microbial infections.[4]
- Urinary tract infections
- Inflammatory vaginal discharge
- Ulceration of the lymph nodes
- Bacterial infection of the stomach
- Bacterial infection of intestines
- Typhoid
- Bone and respiratory infections
- Inflammation of the meninges
- Inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye
Contra-Indications of Pefloxacin
- Information not Available
Side Effects of Pefloxacin
Most common
- allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
- leukopenia/leukemia
- hemolytic anemia
- serum sickness
- agranulocytosis
- pain, swelling, irritation where injected
- stomach upset
- sweating
- skin color change, mild diarrhea
- mild nausea
- loss of appetite
- vaginal discharge and itching
- swelling of feet or legs
- chest pain
- constipation
- cough
- diarrhea or loose stools
- difficulty with breathing
- dizziness
- heartburn
More common
- Abdominal or stomach pain, discomfort, or tenderness
- chills or fever
- difficulty with moving
- headache, severe and throbbing
- joint or back pain
- muscle aching or cramping
- muscle pains or stiffness
- chest pressure or squeezing pain in chest
- excessive sweating
- feeling of heaviness, pain, warmth and/or swelling in a leg or in the pelvis
- sudden tingling or coldness in an arm or leg
- sudden slow or difficult speech
- sudden drowsiness or need to sleep
- fast breathing
- sharp pain when taking a deep breath
- fast or slow heartbeat
- coughing up blood
- rust colored urine
- decreased amount of urine
Rare
- Anxiety
- change in vision
- seizures
- abnormal or fast heart rate
- tremors
- weight loss
- chest pain or tightness
- confusion
- cough
- Agitation
- arm, back, or jaw pain
- blurred vision
- chest pain or discomfort
- convulsions
- extra heartbeats
- fainting
- hallucinations
- headache
- irritability
- lightheadedness
- mood or mental changes
- muscle pain or cramps
Drug Interactions of Pefloxacin
Pefloxacin may interact with following drugs, supplements, & may change the efficacy of drugs
- antacids that contain aluminum hydroxide, calcium, and magnesium hydroxide (do not take these products for at least 6 hours before or for 2 hours after ciprofloxacin)
- “azole” antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole)
- antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, doxylamine, diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine, loratadine)
- antipsychotics (e.g., chlorpromazine, clozapine, haloperidol, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone)
- atorvastatin
- BCG vaccine
- calcium channel blockers (e.g., amlodipine, diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil)
- calcium supplements and multivitamins that contain calcium (do not take these products for at least 6 hours before or for 2 hours after ciprofloxacin)
- carvedilol
- cyclosporine
- dexamethasone
- domperidone
- estrogens (e.g., conjugated estrogen, estradiol, ethinyl estradiol)
- famotidine
- “gliptin” diabetes medications (e.g., linagliptin, saxagliptin, sitagliptin)
- hydrocortisone
- loperamide
- macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin)
- methotrexate
- metronidazole
- mirabegron
- nadolol
- iron supplements (e.g., ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous sulfate
- lidocaine
- macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin
- methotrexate
- multiple vitamins and minerals with vitamins A and E
- mycophenolate
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen)
- propranolol
- prazosin
- sildenafil
- sunitinib
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline)
- serotonin antagonists (anti-emetic medications; e.g., granisetron, ondansetron)
- sotalol
- “statin” anti-cholesterol medications (e.g., atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin)
- trimethoprim
- tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, trimipramine)
- vardenafil
- warfarin[#]
Pregnancy Category
FDA Pregnancy Category – N (not known)
References
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