Effects of the Des-F(6)-quinolone garenoxacin (BMS-284756), in comparison to those of ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin, on joint cartilage in immature rats.

We did not observe signs of chondrotoxicity in immature rats treated orally with garenoxacin (BMS-284756) at doses up to five times 600 mg/kg of body weight or with ciprofloxacin, whereas ofloxacin induced typical cartilage lesions. The peak plasma garenoxacin concentration was 25.5 mg/liter after administration of a dose of 600 mg/kg once daily for 5 days. Assuming that this model is predictive of human risk, BMS-284756 and ciprofloxacin should be more suitable for pediatric use than ofloxacin.