Levofloxacin versus Moxifloxacin

Difference between Levofloxacin and Moxifloxacin

Levofloxacin Moxifloxacin
Drug class Fluoroquinolone antibiotic
Broader range of FDA-approved
indications, including Hospital-
Indications
acquired pneumonia, Urinary tract
infections
Once-daily schedule and short
Treatment
treatment duration provide better
regimen
patient compliance
Half-life 6-8 hours 12 hours
Bioavailability 100% 90%
Moxifloxacin has superior activity
Spectrum of Levofloxacin has superior activity
against Staphylococcus aureus 6, S.
activity: against Acinetobacter baumannii 7
epidermidis 1, S. pneumoniae
Side effects,
Less phototoxic 5.
safety

Levofloxacin vs Moxifloxacin for Pneumonia

The retrospective study found that that among patients hospitalized with community-
acquired pneumonia, initial treatment with intravenous levofloxacin is associated with a
significantly shorter length of stay in hospital compared with intravenous moxifloxacin 8.

Another study demonstrated that moxifloxacin therapy in the treatment of community-

acquired pneumonia (CAP) produces faster clinical recovery than levofloxacin therapy,
with a comparable safety profile 2.

Results of double-blind, randomized, controlled trial

of moxifloxacin versus levofloxacin for the treatment Levofloxacin Moxifloxacin
of CAP in hospitalized elderly patients2
500 mg daily for 400 mg daily for
Regimen
7-14 days 7-14 days
Number of patients in the group 140 141
Cure rates at test-of-cure 87.9% 92.9%
Clinical recovery by days 3-5 after the start of
90% 97.9%
treatment
Cure rates were for patients with mild or moderate
88.6% 92.6%
CAP
Cure rates for patients with severe CAP 84.6% 94.7%
Adverse events no statistically significant
 differences

Levofloxacin vs Moxifloxacin for Rhinosinusitis

The once-daily administration schedule and short treatment duration of moxifloxacin may
have compliance advantages over existing therapies.

Moxifloxacin treatment of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis allows for a shorter treatment

course and has been associated with lower risk of treatment failure and recurrence
compared to levofloxacin 3.

Levofloxacin vs Moxifloxacin for Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis

Moxifloxacin and levofloxacin are similarly effective for acute exacerbations of chronic
bronchitis (AECB) 4. Shorter treatment duration with moxifloxacin is more convenient.

Results of randomized, double blind, parallel-

group clinical trial of moxifloxacin versus Levofloxacin Moxifloxacin
levofloxacin against AECB 4.
500 mg once daily 400 mg once daily
Regimen
for 7 days for 5 days
203 out of 216 201 out of 221
Clinical success, number of patients patients patients
(94.0%) (91.0%)
Bacteriologic eradication or presumed eradication 93.8% 92.8%
Levofloxacin vs Moxifloxacin for Tuberculosis

Levofloxacin and moxifloxacin have equivalent efficacy for the treatment of multidrug-
resistant tuberculosis 9, 10.

Results of comparison of levofloxacin versus

moxifloxacin for multidrug-resistant Levofloxacin Moxifloxacin
tuberculosis 9.
750 mg/day for 3 400 mg/day for 3
Regimen months, months,
90 patients 92 patients
68 (88.3%) of the 67 (90.5%) of the
Conversion to negative sputum cultures
77 patients 74 patients
Adverse drug reactions 6 patients (7.7%) 4 patients (5.2%)
Further reading
 Levofloxacin (Levaquin) versus ...

References
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PubMed
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