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Biosecurity Briefing
FDA Approves Antimicrobial for Pediatric Inhalational Anthrax Exposure By Brooke Courtney, May 16, 2008 According to a Drug Industry Daily news report, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Levaquin® (levofloxacin) for use in pediatric patients who have been exposed to Bacillus anthracis.1 This is the first and only pediatric indication for Levaquin. Levaquin, which is a quinolone antimicrobial agent manufactured by Ortho-McNeil, is approved for this indication in children six months of age or older in 250 mg, 500 mg, and 750 mg strength tablets, 5 mg/mL injection, and 25 mg/mL oral solution.1,2 While it has not been tested in humans for the post-exposure prevention of inhalational anthrax, Levaquin was already approved by the FDA to treat adults “to reduce the incidence or progression of disease following exposure to aerosolized Bacillus anthracis.”2 References
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