Clinical evaluation of Ofloxacin in the treatment of oral infections

Abstract

Ofloxacin (OFLX), a new oral quinolone antibacterial agent, was evaluated on clinical efficacy and safety in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery. OFLX was administered at a dose of 200 mg t.i.d. to 159 patients and 153 patients were adopted for clinical evaluation. These patients consisted of 80 with periodontal infections, 23 with pericoronitis and 50 with osteitis of the jaws. The following results were obtained:
1) The clinical efficacy rate was 83.7% according to judgement by the doctors in charge and 82.8% according to judgement by numerical rating on the 3rd day.
2) One hundred and eighty four strains of bacteria were isolated from 83 patients. The isolation rate of aerobic bacteria was 40.8% and that of anaerobic bacteria was 59.2%. Bacteriological response was eradication in 68, persistence in 4 and unknown in 11.
3) Adverse reactions were observed in 5 patients (3.2%), but symptoms were not serious and soon disappeared. Abnormal changes in laboratory findings were found in 4 patients but they were not serious.