Fleroxacin overview.

Fleroxacin is a new oral and intravenous trifluorinated 4-quinolone, which acts by inhibiting the essential bacterial enzyme DNA gyrase. Fleroxacin exhibits a broad spectrum of action, characterized by pronounced activity against aerobic gram-negative bacteria, but also against gram-positive pathogens such as staphylococci. Fleroxacin is distinguished by its excellent bioavailability, high concentrations in the plasma and other body fluids, good tissue penetration, and a long half-life of 10-12 h, thus allowing once-a-day administration. A single oral dose of 400 mg fleroxacin is effective in uncomplicated cystitis in women, uncomplicated gonococcal infections, bacterial enteritis, and traveler's diarrhea. A single daily dose of 200 mg administered for 3 days is effective in uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI), while longer treatment and higher doses may be required in acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis and complicated UTI. Skin, soft tissue, bone and joint infections, and lower respiratory tract infections including exacerbation of chronic bronchitis and non-pneumococcal pneumonia are further indications for fleroxacin.