Background: Newer fluoroquinolones have become an important therapeutic choice in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Gemifloxacin is one of the newest members of this class of antibiotics and has performed favourably in this indication.
Objective: To analyse the microbiological activity, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties and clinical activity of gemifloxacin in CAP, as well as the safety reported in controlled clinical studies.
Methods: Literature research of English publications in the last 10 years addressing all aspects of gemifloxacin in CAP.
Results/conclusions: Gemifloxacin is microbiologically the most active fluoroquinolone against Streptococcus pneumoniae--the leading pathogen of CAP. In several comparative studies gemifloxacin was highly effective and well tolerated in the treatment of mild-to-moderate severe CAP.