Moxifloxacin versus cephalexin in the treatment of uncomplicated skin infections.

Author(s): Parish LC, Routh HB, Miskin B, Fidelholtz J, Werschler P, Heyd A, Haverstock D, Church D

Affiliation(s): Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Biology, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Publication date & source: 2000-10, Int J Clin Pract., 54(8):497-503.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial

The 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.