ABSTRACT
Sparfloxacin is a third generation aminodifluoroquinolone with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. It has the chemical name 5-amino-1-cyclopropyl-7-(cis-3,5-dimethylpiperazin-1-yl)-6,8-difluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxoquinolone-3-carboxylic acid (see Figure 120.1). The main potential advantages of sparfloxacin over older fluoroquinolones are its improved activity against Gram-positive pathogens (such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus), Mycobacteria, and Chlamydia spp., and its long half-life that allows once-daily dosing, making it similar in spectrum and dosing to moxifloxacin (Richard and Gutmann, 1992; see Chapter 105, Moxifloxacin). Because of concerns about cardiac risks related to QT interval prolongation and an increased risk of phototoxic reactions, sparfloxacin was withdrawn from the US market in 2001, but it remains available in parts of Asia in tablet form and in some parts of the world as an ocular preparation. Chemical structure of sparfloxacin. https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781315152110/08d8042d-9481-4a8d-8c27-9bd589f6de6b/content/fig120_1.tif" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/>
