Collagen Shields as a Drug Delivery System for the Fourth Generation Fluoroquinolones

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To evaluate the penetration of commercially available gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin into the anterior chamber of a rabbit eye using collagen shields presoaked in the antibiotics as a drug delivery system. Methods: Collagen shields, presoaked for 10 minutes in commercially available solutions of gatifloxacin (diluted intravenous Tequin®) or moxifloxacin (Vigamox^TM) with the same concentration, were placed on the surface of each of the corneas of 12 rabbits for a total of 24 eyes (12 in each group). Aqueous humor samples were taken 3 and 6 hours later. Results:The concentrations of both antibiotics were high after 3 hours (3.1+1.3 mcg/ml for moxifloxacin and 2.3+0.8 mcg/ml for gatifloxacin, p=0.22). The concentration of gatifloxacin after 6 hours was statistically significantly higher than for moxifloxacin (0.76+0.33 mcg/ml vs. 0.29+0.14 mcg/ml, respectively, p=0.03). Conclusions: Our results suggest that collagen shields can be effective as a drug delivery system for the fourth generation fluoroquinolones with a longer effect for gatifloxacin.

Keywords: antibiotics/antifungals/antiparasitics • aqueous