TABLE 1.
Fluoroquinolones approved in Canada
| Fluoroquinolone | Canadian trade name | Formulations | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norfloxacin | Noroxin (Merck Frosst) | • 400 mg tablets | • Limited to urinary tract infections |
| Ciprofloxacin | Cipro (Bayer) | • 100, 250, 500, 750 mg tablets | • Broadest range of indications, still only truly oral antipseudomonal agent |
| • IV infusion 200/400 mg | |||
| • 5%, 10% suspension ear drops | |||
| Ofloxacin | Floxin (Janssen-Ortho) | • 200, 300 400 mg tablets | • Tends to be used for urinary tract infections |
| • Iv solutions (4 mg/mL, 50 mL) | |||
| Levofloxacin | Levaquin (Janssen-Ortho) | • 250, 500, 750 mg tablets | • L-isomer of ofloxacin is more potent part |
| • IV infusion 500 mg/100 mL or 250 mg/50 mL | • Levofloxacin is only quinolone with FDA-approval for the treatment of DRSP | ||
| Moxifloxacin | Avelox (Bayer) | • 400 mg tablets | • Highest activity versus Streptococcus pneumoniae anaerobes and typicals, short course for AECB |
AECB Acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis; DRSP Drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae; FDA United States Food and Drug Administration; IV Intravenous.