Clinical Safety Profile of Fluoroquinolones

Introduction Fluoroquinolones have demonstrated comparable efficacy and rates of adverse events as β-lactam and/or macrolide agents in the treatment of community-acquired and healthcare-associated infections. Fluoroquinolones currently marketed are generally considered to have good safety profiles (1–5). However, post-marketing spontaneous adverse event reports have imposed updates in the precautions and warning sections of product package inserts of fluoroquinolones. In addition, higher rates of serious toxic reactions has resulted in restricted or suspended use of trovafloxacin, worldwide withdrawal of temafloxacin and grepafloxacin, and discontinued development of fleroxacin, BAY 3118, and clinafloxacin (4–8) (Table 1). The purpose of this paper is to review the adverse events associated with fluoroquinolone therapy, with an emphasis on safety profiles of ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, and gemifloxacin.