Efficacy of ofloxacin in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections in general practice.

General practitioners assessed the efficacy and safety of ofloxacin in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections in 100 patients. Treatment consisted of ofloxacin 200 mg twice daily for seven days. Evaluation of therapy was based on clinical and bacteriological parameters. Two patients were withdrawn from the study because of gastro-intestinal symptoms of nausea and vomiting. There were no significant drug-related alterations in haematological or biochemical parameters following treatment. Pathogens present in pre-treatment sputum specimens were eradicated from 63 of 66 patients. The overall assessment of response to treatment in the 98 evaluable patients was recorded as cured (45), much improved (47), slightly better (3), same (2) and slightly worse (1). It was concluded from these results that ofloxacin was both safe and effective in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections.