The correlation between gatifloxacin’s acute adverse reaction and intravenous drip velocity

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between acute adverse reaction (AAR) and intravenous drip velocity of gatifloxacin.

METHODS: Patients who had received intravenous gatifloxacin (0.2g/100ml) infusion in the Emergency Center, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China from January to August 2012 were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly divided into 3 groups according to different drip velocities: Group A: velocity </=10 drops per minute; Group B: <10 velocity </=20 drops per minute; Group C: <20 velocity </=30 drops per minute. The AAR and demographic data of patients were documented.

RESULTS: Acute adverse reaction of the skin and digestive system were significantly positively related to intravenous drip velocity. The AAR of the cardiovascular system significantly increased when the intravenous drip velocity was beyond 20 drops per minute. The AAR of nervous system and abnormal glycometabolism has no significant correlation with intravenous drip velocity of gatifloxacin.

CONCLUSION: Acute adverse reactions of skin, digestive system, and cardiovascular system would decrease with an appropriate velocity of intravenous gatifloxacin (0.2g/100ml) less than 10 drops per minute.