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The fluoroquinolones (fluoridated quinolones) are broad-spectrum bactericidal agents, that inhibit DNA gyrase, prevent DNA supercoiling and DNA synthesis.
They are active against P. aeruginosa, mycoplasma, chlamydia, staphylococci and a few of the streptococci. Fluoroquinolones are useful in pneumonia, urinary tract infections, bacterial diarrhea, and skin and soft tissue infection.
These agents are metabolized in the liver and excreted in the urine.

The fluoroquinolone agent most used with pet rats is enrofloxacin. It’s human counterpart is ciprofloxacin.
With the exception of these two agents all other quinolones/fluoroquinolones are only available orally at the time of this writing.

Serious adverse reactions are reportedly few with the fluoroquinolones, however, seizures though rare have been reported, as well as sterile abscess’ with injections of enrofloxacin in rats.
It is not recommended that fluoroquinolones be given to those that are pregnant or in the very young, including very young rats due to the risks of cartilage abnormalities ( Ciprofloxacin causes cytoskeletal changes and detachment of human and rat chondrocytes in vitro; Egerbacher M, Seiberl G, Wolfesberger B, Walter I. ), however, in cases where other antibiotics are not helping, or if the infection is deemed severe, the benefit of using fluoroquinolones may in fact outweigh the risks.

Synergism can occur when aminoglycosides, cephalosporins and extended-spectrum penicillins are used with fluorinated quinolones. In cases where polymicrobial infections are suspected, use of such drugs that are synergistic may be very beneficial, especially when broader coverage is needed.

Finally, use caution when giving fluoroquinolones together with theophylline since those agents may raise theophylline levels. For additional drug interactions or adverse reactions see individual agents.

Posted on June 22, 2003, 10:00, Last updated on June 10, 2008, 08:38 | Antimicrobial Agents