Pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin in children treated for exposure to drug-resistant tuberculosis

Abstract

Levofloxacin is used to treat and prevent drug-resistant tuberculosis in children. We assessed levofloxacin serum drug concentrations in 24 children aged 2 to 10 years who received levofloxacin-based tuberculosis preventive therapy in Karachi, Pakistan. Only 9 children (37.5%) achieved adequate drug exposure. Target serum drug concentration was met in 4 (26.7%) of 15 children dosed consistently with World Health Organization recommendations and 4 (80.0%) of 5 who received higher-than-recommended doses. Levofloxacin dosing recommendations may require reevaluation.