Proconvulsive Profile of Fluoroquinolones - an Experimental Study with Clinical Co-relations

Background: Fluoroquinolones are a popular class of antibiotics used in variety of infections. However, toxicities are associated with these agents of which seizure provoking action of fluoroquinolones are compared in this study. Objective: To compare the proconvulsive profile of various generation of fluoroquinolones namely ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, sparfloxacin and moxifloxacin in experimental models of convulsions in rat and to correlate the same with the clinical literature. Material and Methods: Proconvulsive activity of fluoroquinolones was assessed in rats. The animals were treated intraperitoneally with 12.5 and 25 mg/kg of ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, sparfloxacin and moxifloxacin. After 30 minutes, animals were subjected to maximal electroshock (MES) & pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced convulsions. Results: Proconvulsive property of ciprofloxacin was greater compared to other fluoroquinolones in both MES and PTZ method. Levofloxacin produced statistically significant proconvulsive action only in MES, and was insignificant in case of PTZ induced convulsions. Sparfloxacin and moxifloxacin had no significant proconvulsant activity in both the models. Conclusion: The results of this study is, if substantiated by further experimental research suggests that fluoroquinolones must be judiciously used in patients with predisposing epileptogenic factors, if mandatory to use these drugs, newer fluoroquinolones of higher generations may be preferred.