[Should fluoroquinolones be feared during pregnancy and breastfeeding?]

Fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, levofloxacin and moxifloxacin) are antibiotics which pharmacological and therapeutic advantages resulted in a large use, now restricted because of resistances emergence and adverse effect risk. For pregnant or breastfeeding women they still are a cause of concern, based on the joint toxicity described in children directly treated, thus limiting their use in these populations. However, the data about exposed pregnancies published over time have not so far confirm these fears and allow, when a fluoroquinolone is clearly indicated, not to deprive pregnant patients of the therapeutic benefit of these important antibiotics and to envisage their use whatever the term of the pregnancy, within the current scope of their prescription. During breastfeeding the use of some of them can be considered.