Comparison of Drug Concentrations in Human Aqueous Humor after the Administration of 0.3% Gatifloxacin Ophthalmic Gel, 0.3% Gatifloxacin and 0.5% Levofloxacin Ophthalmic Solutions

PURPOSE To investigate the penetration of 0.3% gatifloxacin ophthalmic gel, 0.3% gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution and 0.5% levofloxacin ophthalmic solution into aqueous humor after topical application. MATERIALS AND METHODS Age-related cataract patients (150 eyes in 150 cases) receiving phacoemulsification were randomly divided into three groups: a 0.3% gatifloxacin gel group (n=50), a 0.3% gatifloxacin solution group (n=50), and a 0.5% levofloxacin solution group (n=50). Each group was administered one drop of gel or solution every 15 minutes for four doses. Aqueous samples were collected at different time points after the last drop. High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied to determine the concentrations. The one-way ANOVA analysis was performed. RESULTS Our data indicated that the concentration of the gatifloxacin gel group was higher than that of the gatifloxacin solution group at all time points (P <0.05); moreover, the gatifloxacin gel group exhibited higher levels than the levofloxacin solution group at 120.0 min and 180.0 min (P<0.05). Furthermore, the gatifloxacin gel produced the highest concentration at 120.0 min, and the gatifloxacin and levofloxacin solutions reached their peak values at 60.0 min. CONCLUSIONS 0.3% gatifloxacin ophthalmic gel application produced highest aqueous humor drug concentration, maintained the longest time, had the best penetration and bioavailability.