Levofloxacin is a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic, widely used to treat a variety of bacterial infections including respiratory, urinary tract, and skin infections. It is the active L-isomer of ofloxacin, offering enhanced antibacterial activity and better pharmacokinetic properties compared to its racemic predecessor. Developed in the late 1980s and introduced clinically in the 1990s, levofloxacin quickly became a cornerstone in the treatment of both community-acquired and hospital-acquired infections due to its potent inhibition of bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. Over the years, it has been valued for its once-daily dosing, high oral bioavailability, and broad-spectrum efficacy, although concerns over resistance and side effects such as tendonitis and QT prolongation have led to more cautious prescribing practices. Today, levofloxacin remains an important antibiotic in modern medicine, reflecting decades of development in fluoroquinolone therapy.
