Ocular toxicity of intravitreal clarithromycin.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ocular toxicity and clearance of intravitreal clarithromycin lactobionate (Klaricid) and to determine the highest nontoxic dose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To evaluate toxicity, 24 New Zealand white rabbits were divided into six groups (four rabbits each). Rabbits were examined preoperatively and electroretinography (ERG) was performed. The left eyes of the animals served as controls and received intravitreal injection of 0.1 mL sterile water. Klaricid (0.1 mL) was injected into the midvitreous cavity of the right eyes at concentrations of 25 microg, 250 microg, 500 microg, 1.0 mg, 2.0 mg, and 4.0 mg/0.1 mL. The animals were followed up to 15 days postinjection by clinical examination and ERG. The animals were killed and the eyes were enucleated and processed for light microscopy. Ten New Zealand rabbits were used for the vitreous clearance study as drug test rabbits and two additional rabbits were used to generate control retina and vitreous. The highest nontoxic dose (1 mg) was injected into the vitreous and the concentration of clarithromycin in the vitreous was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography at various time intervals after injection. RESULTS: Cataract occurred after intravitreal doses of 2.0 and 4.0 mg. Electroretinography showed decreasing b-wave amplitude with both dark- and light-adapted stimulus in the 4.0-mg group; it was normal in other groups. Histopathologic sections showed localized retinal necrosis and disorganization with the 2.0 and 4.0 mg dosage. No histologic changes were found in the other groups. The half-life of intravitreal clarithromycin was found to be 2 hours. No metabolites of clarithromycin were observed in the vitreous samples. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal clarithromycin lactobionate is nontoxic to rabbit eyes up to a dose of 1.0 mg. Because of its broad-spectrum antibiotic effect and appropriate half-life in the vitreous, it may be a good choice for intravitreal treatment of susceptible organisms.