MOXIFLOXACIN VERSUS CEPHALEXIN IN THE TREATMENT OF UNCOMPLICATED SKIN INFECTIONS

Abstract

SUMMARYThe efficacy and safety of oral moxifloxacin (400 mg once daily, 7 days) versus cephalexin (500 mg three times daily, 7 days) were compared in a prospective, multicentre, randomised, double‐blind trial in 401 adults with uncomplicated skin infections. Clinical outcome was evaluated in 351 patients. Moxifloxacin proved to be as effective as cephalexin both clinically (90% versus 91%, respectively) and bacteriologically in eradicating the most frequently isolated pathogen Staphylococcus aureus (92% and 93%, respectively). Moxifloxacin was more effective than cephalexin in eliminating Streptococcus spp. (90% and 82%, respectively). Drug‐related adverse events were comparable in both treatment groups with the most frequently reported being nausea in the moxifloxacin‐treated patients and headache in the cephalexin‐treated patients. Medication was discontinued due to unwanted reactions in 3% of the moxifloxacin‐ and 4% of the cephalexin‐treated patients. Moxifloxacin, 400 mg once daily for 7 days, is as safe and effective as cephalexin 500 mg three times daily for 7 days in the treatment of uncomplicated skin infections.