New Fluoroquinolones

Abstract

New Fluoroquinolones

Tweewong         Tantracheewathorn         MD

Department of Pediatrics, BMA Medical College and Vajira Hospital

The structural modifications of basic quinolone and naphthyridone rings make the new fluoroquinolones. The new agents have greater activity against gram-positive cocci, atypical pathogens. and anaerobes while retaining much of the gram-negative activity of the earlier agents. They have better oral bioavailability and tissue penetration, lower protein binding, longer half-lives and less side effects. New fouoroquinolones can be used orally and once-daily for shorter duration, providing convenience, compliance, and safety advantages. These suggest that new fluoroquinolones are likely to become a first line option for the treatment of community-acquired lower respiratory tract infections, particulary in case of drug-resistant S. pneumoniae ,or  H. influenzae.

Key words : quinolones, fluoroquinolones, antibiotics

Vajira Med J 2002 ; 46 : 67 - 77