Fluoroquinolones

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are frequently used in a variety of indications in hospital and outpatient settings due to the availability of oral dosage form. Pharmacokinetics of this particular class of antibiotics vary significantly among individual agents thus preventing a uniform approach to dose adjustment. Relatively more data is available for ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin compared to other agents in this class. This chapter outlines the available literature of pharmacokinetic changes in obese patients and recommend dosing for specific agents. Flouroquinolone antibiotics have significant dose related adverse effects and therefore, the clinical need of a flouroquinolone should be carefully considered before using them in obese patients who are likely to receive higher than the usually recommended doses.