The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first generic versions of Sanofi-Aventis antibiotic Levaquin (levofloxacin).

The drug is often used to treat bacterial infections that cause bronchitis or pneumonia, and to treat those exposed to inhalational anthrax.

Keith Webber, deputy director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Office of Pharmaceutical Science said that FDA-approved generic drugs are important options that allow greater access to healthcare.

The regulator approved generic tablet, oral solution, and injectable solution dosage forms of levofloxacin.