Introduction

Name

• Enrofloxacin.

Class of drug

• Fluoroquinolone antibiotic.

Description

Chemical name

• 1-cyclopropyl-7-(4-ethylpiperazin-1-yl)-6-fluoro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid.

Molecular formula

• C₁₉H₂₂FN₃O3.

Molecular weight

• 359.40.

Physical properties

• Pale yellow, crystalline powder.
• Slightly soluble in water.

Storage requirements

• Tablets should be stored in tight containers at temperature less than 30°C/86°F.
• Protect from direct sunlight.
• Injectable forms should be kept at room temperature and should not be refrigerated or frozen.

Uses

Indications

• Commonly used to treat bacterial infections in reptiles.
• Good activity against many gram negative bacilli and cocci that are commonly involved in reptile infections, particularly Salmonella spp.
• Activity against some gram positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus.
• Good activity against Chlamydia, Rickettsia, Mycoplasma and Mycobacterium.
• Ineffective to treat anaerobic infections.
• Resistance seen in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter and enterococci.
• The fluoroquinolones are highly lipophilic drugs which attain high concentrations within the cells of many tissues and are particularly effective in the management of soft tissue, urogenital and skin infections.
• Enrofloxacin is ineffective to treat infections in reptiles caused by Devriesea agamarum.

Administration

Pharmacokinetics

Precautions

Interactions

with other drugs

Adsorbents and antacids containing cations (Mg, Al)

• May bind to enrofloxacin and prevent its absorption.

Sucralfate and zinc salts

Probenecid/cisapride

• Blocks the tubular secretion of enrofloxacin and may increase its blood level and half-life.

NSAIDs

• In man concurrent use of enrofloxacin and NSAIDs potentiates adverse CNS effects in epileptic patients.

Adverse Reactions

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Ducrotte-Tassel A, Kirilov P, Salvi J P et al (2017) Detection of enrofloxacin after single-dose percutaneous administration in Python regius, Boa constrictor imperator and Acrantophis dumerili. J Exotic Pet Med 26 (4), 263-269 VetMedResource.
• da Silva Sobrinho F B, de Sa M C A, Gouveia G V et al (2017) [Isolation and determination of antimicrobials sensitivity and resistance of bacterial strains present in the cloaca of Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied, 1839) raised in captivity in Petrolina/PE, Brazil]. Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira 37 (3), 261-268 VetMedResource.
• Waxman S, Paula Prados A, Julio de Lucas J et al (2014) Pharmacokinetic behavior of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin in Urutu pit vipers (Bothrops alternatus) after intramuscular administration. J Zoo Wildl Med 45 (1), 78-85 PubMed.
• Giorgi M, Rota S, Giorgi T et al (2013) Blood concentrations of enrofloxacin and the metabolite ciprofloxacin in yellow-bellied slider turtles (Trachemys scripta scripta) after a single intracoelomic injection of enrofloxacin. J Exotic Pet Med 22 (2), 192-199 JExoticPetMed.
• Hellebuyck T, Pasmans F, Haesebrouck F et al (2009) Designing a successful antimicrobial treatment against Devriesea agamarum infections in lizards. Vet Microbiol 139 (1-2), 189-192 PubMed.
• Mitchell M A (2006) Enrofloxacin. J Exotic Pet Med 15 (1), 66-69 JExoticPetMed.
• Jacobson E, Gronwall R, Maxwell L et al (2005) Plasma concentrations of enrofloxacin after single-dose oral administration in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). J Zoo Wildl Med 36 (4), 628-634 PubMed.
• Young L A, Schumacher J, Papich M G et al (1997) Disposition of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin after intravascular injection in juvenile Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus). J Zoo Wildl Med 28 (1), 71-79 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Meredith A (2015) Ed. Small Animal Formulary. Part B: Exotic Pets. 9th edn. BSAVA, UK. pp 338.
• Plumb D C (2015) Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 8th edn. Wiley-Blackwell, USA. pp 1296.
• Ramsey I (2014) BSAVA Small Animal Formulary. 8th edn. BSAVA, UK. ISBN: 9781905319657.
• Carpenter J W & Marion C J (2013) Exotic Animal Formulary. 4th edn. Saunders, USA.

Organisation(s)

• National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) Compendium of Data Sheets for Animal Medicines. Website: www.noahcompendium.co.uk.