PHARMACOKINETICS OF SECOND LINE ANTI-TB DRUG (LEVOFLOXACIN) IN MDR-TB PATIENTS

Abstract

Tuberculosis, commonly known as TB, is the world’s second deadliest disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). The treatment for TB started in the year 1944 after the discovery of the antibiotic streptomycin. Over the century, the TB bacteria have evolved into the resistance forms, despite the use of effective drugs. In our study, We analysed the pharmacokinetic profile of Levofloxacin in MDR-TB patients. LFX is a synthetic broad spectrum antibacterial agent. It is the S-Isomer of the race mate. Plasma concentrations of levofloxacin were estimated using the validated methods by HPLC at NIRT. We had analysed the plasma concentrations of individual patients over different time intervals post single dosage. In case of LFX, about 10(40%) patients had their Cmax> 12µg/ml, 3 patients showed sub therapeutic Cmax value i.e. < 8 µg/ml and the remaining 12 patients (48%) had their Cmax value within the range. This study is expected to have important clinical implications.