Photodegradation of levofloxacin in aqueous and organic solvents: A kinetic study

perazinyl)-7-oxo-7H-pyrido[1,2,3-de]-1,4-benzoxazine-6-carboxylic acid] (Fig. 1) is a broad spectrum fluoroquinolone antibacterial, which is effective against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (1). Fluoroquinolones are sensitive to light (2) and studies have been carried out on the photodegradation of quinolones (3), fluoroquinolones (4), ciprofloxacin (5, 6), sparfloxacin (7), moxifloxacin (8) and fluoroquinolone carboxylic acids (9, 10). Some quinolones are phototoxic and induce photosensitized hemolysis of erythrocytes (11). It has been reported that the photoproducts of sparfloxacin exhibit low activity (7). A photodegradation study of levofloxacin has been reported and