Efficacy and safety of enoxacin in the treatment of respiratory infections.

The present report concerns an open clinical trial aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of enoxacin (Zami 8401), a new quinolone drug, in bacterial infections of the lower respiratory tract. A total of 30 hospital in patients, 25 males and 5 females, of a mean age of 67 years (range 39-84 years), suffering from bronchopneumonia, or acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, were treated. Enoxacin was administered at the dose of 800 mg twice daily by the oral route. As a rule the patients received the drug for ten days. Efficacy was assessed on the basis of radiological, bacteriological and clinical changes. Tolerance was monitored by the daily recording of any sign or symptom possibly related with the drug as well as by laboratory tests performed before, during and after the treatment. Efficacy was excellent in 80%, good in 17%, poor in 3% of the patients. Tolerance was excellent in all except one patient. Enoxacin appears a very effective and safe drug in the treatment of the infections of the lower respiratory tract.