Influence of fluoroquinolones on the central action of ethanol

The influence of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and pefloxacin on acute toxicity of ethanol, ethanol-induced hypothermia, ethanol sleeping time was investigated in mice. Moreover, the combined effect of fluoroquinolones and ethanol on spontaneous locomotor activity, motor coordination in mice and ethanol abstinence syndrome in rats was examined. The fluoroquinolones (20 and 80 mg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally. The drugs were given in single or repeated doses for 7 days. In acute experiments, drugs were given 30 min before ethanol administration. In chronic experiments, the last dose of fluoroquinolones was given 18 h prior to ethanol injection. It has been shown that the fluoroquinolones decrease acute toxicity of ethanol, antagonize its hypothermic effect, decrease ethanol inhibitory effect on motor coordination in mice, and increase ethanol-induced hypermotility in mice and audiogenic seizure response in rats during alcohol abstinence syndrome. Ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin administered repeatedly increase the influence of ethanol on duration of ethanol-induced sleep. The influence of fluoroquinolones on ethanol central action depends on the drug used, its dose and route of administration.