Effectiveness, safety and tolerability of gatifloxacin, a new 8-methoxyfluoroquinolone, in the treatment of outpatients with community-acquired pneumonia: a Brazilian study

OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of gatifloxacin in the treatment of outpatients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, multicenter, non-comparative clinical study carried out in Brazil. Voluntary, unpaid physician participation contributed to an unbiased study design. PATIENTS: Adult outpatients with clinical diagnosis of CAP. REGIMEN: Gatifloxacin, 400 mg PO once daily for 7 to 14 days. STUDY PROCEDURES: Initial clinical assessment, at the first day of gatifloxacin therapy; final evaluation after 7 to 14 days of treatment. RESULTS: According to the physicians' assessments 97.3% of patients were cured or improved after gatifloxacin treatment. The incidence of adverse events was low and the most commonly reported events were nausea and dyspepsia. CONCLUSIONS: Gatifloxacin, 400 mg PO once daily for 7 to 14 days, is effective and safe in the treatment of patients with CAP.