The 8-hydroxyquinolines are a group of synthetic compounds with antibacterial, antifungal, and antiprotozoal activity. The best known compounds of this class are iodochlor-hydroxyquin (clioquinol), diiodohydroxyquin (iodoquinol), broxyquinoline, and hydroxyquinoline. Because they are not absorbed from the GI tract to any degree, their main use has been for the treatment of intestinal infections caused by bacteria or protozoa (such as Giardia). Hydroxyquinolines are also used topically for skin infections caused by bacteria and fungi. Hydroxyquinolines are potentially neurotoxic when used for prolonged periods. The dose for a 455-kg horse is 10 g, PO, sid, using a decreasing dosage regimen to end medication.

Last full review/revision March 2012 by Dawn Merton Boothe, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVCP