fluoroquinolone

Meaning of fluoroquinolone: Fluoroquinolones are broad spectrum antibiotics that stop bacteria from replicating their DNA, used against a range of respiratory and urinary infections.

Definition of fluoroquinolone

A fluoroquinolone is a member of a class of antibiotic medications used to treat a range of bacterial infections, including certain infections of the urinary tract, respiratory tract, skin, and digestive system. These drugs work by interfering with enzymes that bacteria need to copy and repair their own DNA, which prevents the bacteria from multiplying.

Because fluoroquinolones act against a broad range of bacteria, they are used for infections in several different body systems, and they are generally taken by mouth or given intravenously depending on the severity of the infection being treated.

Fluoroquinolones carry recognized risks not shared by all antibiotic classes, including effects on tendons, nerves, and, less commonly, the aorta, and this risk profile is a factor considered alongside the benefit of treating a particular infection when this class of antibiotic is being considered.