Ozenoxacin, a New Effective and Safe Topical Treatment for Impetigo in Children and Adolescents.

BACKGROUND

Ozenoxacin is a topical antibiotic approved in Europe to treat non-bullous impetigo in adults and children aged ≥6 months. This analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of ozenoxacin in paediatric patients by age group.

METHODS

Pooled data for patients aged 6 months to <18 years who had participated in a phase I or in two phase III clinical trials of ozenoxacin 1% cream were analysed by age group: 0.5-<2, 2-<6, 6-<12, and 12-<18 years.

RESULTS

The combined population comprised 529 patients with non-bullous impetigo treated with ozenoxacin (n = 239), vehicle (n = 201), or retapamulin as internal validation control (n = 89). Studies were well matched for extent and severity of impetigo and therapeutic schedule (twice daily application for 5 days). The clinical success rate after 5 days' treatment (day 6-7, end of therapy), and microbiological success rates after 3-4 days' treatment and at the end of therapy, were significantly higher with ozenoxacin than vehicle (p < 0.0001 for all comparisons). Clinical and bacterial eradication rates were higher with ozenoxacin than vehicle in each age group. No safety concerns were identified with ozenoxacin. One (0.3%) of 327 plasma samples exceeded the lower limit of quantification for ozenoxacin, but the low concentration indicated negligible systemic absorption.

CONCLUSION

This combined analysis supports the efficacy and safety of ozenoxacin administered twice daily for 5 days. Ozenoxacin 1% cream is a new option to consider for treatment of non-bullous impetigo in children aged 6 months to <18 years.