The objectives of this sutdy were to investigate the effects of 8-fluorociprofloxacin(8-FCP) on the central nervous system (CNS) and to compare with those of ciprofloxacin(CP). The $LD_{50}$ values of intravenous 8-FCP were similar or slightly lower in rat (M;203.6mg/kg, F;186.1mg/kg)and markedly lower in mice (M;126.5mg/kg, F;163.1mg/kg), as compared to those of CP. However, no recognizable differences in the clinical signs and recovery were found between 8-FCP and CP in both species. In combination with fenbufen, the convulsive liability of 8-FCP was higher than that of CP. At an intravenous dose of 10mg/kg, 8-FCP provoked convulsive signs and subsequent death in mice, whereas CP produced convulsion at a dose of 40mg/kg. The hexobabital -induced sleeping time was markedly lengthened by the oral administration of 8-FCP, but slightly increased by CP. In addition, the two quinolone derivatives had analgesic effects. The analgesic activity of 8-FCP was approximately two times higher than that at CP. However, both 8-FCP and CP had little effects of pentylenetetrazole-or strychnine-induced convulsion and muscle relaxation. Our finding that 8-FCP had more remarkable CNS effects than CP strongly suggests that there should be differences in the pharmacokinetic characteristics and/or in the binding affinity for specific biologic targets, or receptors, in the CNS.