CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM TOXICITY OF QUINOLONES - HUMAN AND ANIMAL FINDINGS

Quinolones have been reported to induce CNS reactions in 0.9–2.1% of cases, but severe reactions occur in less than 0.5%. Flumequine and fleroxacin, but not other quinolones, have produced convulsions in animals after systemic administration; by interventricular injection convulsions could be produced by some quinolones, but by pefloxacin only when a dose of 400 μg was reached. A possible mechanism for CNS excitation may be the displacement of GABA from receptors. Quinolones may interact with other drugs—theophylline, caffeine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in producing CNS effects. © 1990 The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.