Effects of three fluoroquinolones on QT interval in healthy adults after single doses

Abstract

A change in QTc (Bazett) interval from baseline can be demonstrated safely in healthy volunteers after single high doses of fluoroquinolones that achieve approximately 1.5 times the maximum plasma drug concentration that occurs after recommended doses. There is substantial daily variation in both QT and QTc interval, and the magnitude and frequency of changes in QTc interval can depend on the methods used. These factors need to be considered because clinical trials measuring the effects of drugs on QT intervals are used to estimate the risk of using these drugs. Greater changes in QT and QTc intervals after treatment with moxifloxacin compared with levofloxacin or ciprofloxacin are consistent with in vitro observations related to the effect of these drugs on rapid potassium (IK(r)) channels. The clinical relevance of these differences is not known.