Alatrofloxacin mesylate

Alatrofloxacin mesylate is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that was previously marketed under the brand name Trovan IV by Pfizer. It is a prodrug of trovafloxacin and was designed for intravenous administration.

History

Alatrofloxacin was approved by the FDA in 1997. However, it was withdrawn from the market in 2001 due to concerns about severe liver toxicity.

Pharmacology

As a prodrug, alatrofloxacin is metabolized in the body to its active form, trovafloxacin. This conversion occurs primarily in the liver. Trovafloxacin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that inhibits the bacterial enzymes DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, which are necessary for DNA replication, transcription, repair, and recombination.

Clinical Use

Before its withdrawal, alatrofloxacin was used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, including pneumonia, skin infections, and intra-abdominal infections. It was also used in the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea.

Side Effects and Safety

The most common side effects of alatrofloxacin include nausea, diarrhea, and headache. However, the drug was withdrawn from the market due to severe hepatotoxicity, which can lead to liver failure and death.

See Also

• Fluoroquinolone
• Trovafloxacin
• Antibiotic
• Liver toxicity