indication

For the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections, genital and urinary infections like prostatitis, and skin infections.

pharmacology

Temafloxacin (marketed by Abbott Laboratories as Omniflox), is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic drug which was withdrawn from sale in the U.S. shortly after its approval in 1992 because of serious adverse reactions resulting in three deaths. Flouroquinolones such as lomefloxacin possess excellent activity against gram-negative aerobic bacteria such as E.coli and Neisseria gonorrhoea as well as gram-positive bacteria including S. pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. They also posses effective activity against shigella, salmonella, campylobacter, gonococcal organisms, and multi drug resistant pseudomonas and enterobacter.

mechanism of action

The bactericidal action of temafloxacin results from interference with the activity of the bacterial enzymes DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, which are needed for the transcription and replication of bacterial DNA. DNA gyrase appears to be the primary quinolone target for gram-negative bacteria. Topoisomerase IV appears to be the preferential target in gram-positive organisms. Interference with these two topoisomerases results in strand breakage of the bacterial chromosome, supercoiling, and resealing. As a result DNA replication and transcription is inhibited.

toxicity

Severe adverse reactions, including allergic reactions and hemolytic anemia, developed in about fifty patients during the first four months of its use, leading to three patient deaths

biotransformation

Hepatic.

absorption

Studies in healthy volunteers indicate that the average bioavailability of temafloxacin exceeds 90%, with little intersubject variability.

half life

Approximately 8 hours in patients with normal renal function.

drug interactions

Calcium: Formation of non-absorbable complexes

Iron Dextran: Formation of non-absorbable complexes

Magnesium: Formation of non-absorbable complexes