A new study finds that use of levofloxacin is a safe and effective treatment for men who are suffering with chronic bacterial prostatitis. Of the 62 patients evaluated, nearly all were cured or experienced significant improvement by the end of the treatment period.
Levofloxacin (Levaquin®) belongs to a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones that can be taken by mouth or intravenously for treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis. Levofloxacin is specifically indicated for chronic bacterial prostatitis that is caused by the following bacteria: Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, or methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus epidermidis.
The 62 men in the study were recruited from the clinical practices of urologists, and all had their diagnosis confirmed with microbiological testing of expressed prostatic secretion. All the men were treated with 500 mg of levofloxacin per day for an average of 29 days. Clinical symptoms and signs considered in the study included painful urination, painful ejaculation, perineal pain, urinary obstruction, increased urinary urgency, and prostate pain during palpation, as well as levels of C-reactive protein and leukocytes (white blood cells).
Fifty-eight of the 62 men (93.5%) were relieved of all symptoms or improved by the end of treatment. In addition, the men were able to resume their regular activities after an average of 10 days of treatment. The pathogen E. coli was identified in 39 patients (62.9%) during microbiological testing, and by the end of treatment, 37 of the 39 (94.9%) showed no pathogens. In a larger population of 181 patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis (but no confirmation of their diagnosis based on microbiological testing), the same treatment was given, and similar results were reported.
Overall, five adverse drug reactions were reported in 3 of the 243 patients. The most common side effects attributed to levofloxacin are nausea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness. Fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin, are associated with a rare but increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture, especially in patients older than 60 years of age.
The authors of this study concluded that their results “confirm the efficacy and safety of levofloxacin in the treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis in daily clinical practice.”
Sources
Rx List–Levofloxacin
Wagenlehner F et al. Practice management of chronic bacterial prostatitis with levofloxacin. Aktuelle Urol 2011 May; 42(3): 184-89
