Revisiting Quinolone Antibacterial Drugs, December 8, 1999

Revisiting Quinolone Antibacterial Drugs, December 8, 1999

Since the mid-1980s, when the first quinolone drug, pipemidic acid, was introduced, it has become popular worldwide for its broad antibacterial spectrum, good efficacy, few side effects, and low price. The first generation is pipemidic acid; the second generation is norfloxacin; the third generation is ciprofloxacin; the fourth generation includes fleroxacin and lomefloxacin. Each successive generation has stronger effects and better efficacy than the previous one. Fleroxacin has a half-life of up to 15 hours, allowing for once-daily intravenous administration every 24 hours, which is of great significance in treatment. The drawback of this drug is that children under 18, adolescents, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers should use it with caution. Some patients may experience elevated transaminase levels, while others may develop gastrointestinal reactions and various types of rashes across the body. Why should children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers use it cautiously? Because it affects the growth and development of infants and young children.