What are some examples of fluoroquinolone antibiotics?

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Last updated: March 22, 2026 • View editorial policy

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Examples of Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics

Fluoroquinolones are a class of synthetic broad-spectrum antibiotics that include ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, gemifloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, gatifloxacin, and besifloxacin. 1

Systemic Fluoroquinolones

The most commonly used systemic fluoroquinolones include:

  • Ciprofloxacin: One of the most extensively prescribed fluoroquinolones, effective against aerobic gram-negative bacteria and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1, 2, 3

  • Levofloxacin: A "respiratory tract" fluoroquinolone with enhanced activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae compared to ciprofloxacin, and the only fluoroquinolone prospectively studied in children with community-acquired pneumonia 1

  • Moxifloxacin: Another respiratory fluoroquinolone with enhanced pneumococcal activity, demonstrating greater bactericidal activity than ciprofloxacin against mycobacteria 1, 4

  • Gemifloxacin: A newer respiratory fluoroquinolone with high activity against S. pneumoniae 1, 4

  • Norfloxacin: One of the earlier commercially available fluoroquinolones in the United States 3

  • Ofloxacin: Available for both systemic and topical use, with limited propensity for drug interactions compared to some other fluoroquinolones 3

  • Gatifloxacin: A respiratory fluoroquinolone with intermediate activity ratios against S. pneumoniae 4, 2

Topical Fluoroquinolones

Several fluoroquinolones are FDA-approved for topical ophthalmic and otic use:

  • Besifloxacin: Approved for bacterial conjunctivitis in patients older than 12 months 1

  • Levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, gatifloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and ofloxacin: All available as topical ophthalmic preparations for acute conjunctivitis 1

  • Ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin: Available for otic use in acute otitis externa and tympanostomy tube-associated otorrhea 1

Additional Fluoroquinolones

Other fluoroquinolones mentioned in the literature include:

  • Enoxacin and lomefloxacin: Earlier generation agents commercially available in the United States 3

  • Enrofloxacin and danofloxacin: Primarily used in veterinary medicine 5

  • Trovafloxacin and grepafloxacin: Saw minimal use and were restricted or withdrawn from the market 2

  • Nalidixic acid: The first quinolone (non-fluorinated), discovered in 1962 and used for urinary tract infections 6

References

2
Research

Safety of fluoroquinolones: An update.

The Canadian journal of infectious diseases = Journal canadien des maladies infectieuses, 2002

6
Research

Fluoroquinolones: Blessings Or Curses.

Current drug targets, 2020

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This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.