Economic and clinical value of levofloxacin

Abstract

Levofloxacin is a newer fluoroquinolone, with broad spectrum of antibacterial activity and good tolerability. This drug has a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile that allows a once-a-day administration and offers the potential for intravenous-to-oral switch therapy. Due to these characteristics, the principal guidelines recommend it, as an option for the empirical therapy of patients with mild or more severe community acquired pneumonia (CAP), acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (AECB), complicated urinary tract infection (cUTI) and skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI). These pathologies are common causes of morbidity and mortality and place a large burden on medical and economic resources, specially if hospitalization is required. The implementation of a critical pathway, based on levofloxacin use and on a risk prediction rule to establish the need for hospitalization, has the potential to decrease healthcare resource consumption without impairment of clinical outcomes, with respect to conventional management. The possibility of switch therapy allows to reduce length of hospital stay, with a saving in both direct and indirect costs, and an increase in patient satisfaction. In summary, when used according to appropriateness criteria and for approved indications, levofloxacin offers favorable economic features for the healthcare provider, whilst guaranteeing a positive impact on patient functioning and quality of life.