The safety profile of moxifloxacin and other fluoroquinolones in special patient populations.

ABSTRACTBackground: Fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, gemifloxacin, and moxifloxacin, represent a major advance in the development of antimicrobial agents. They offer significant activity against Gram-negative pathogens, while more advanced generation fluoroquinolones including levofloxacin, gemifloxacin, and moxifloxacin are significantly active against Gram-positive (e.g., Streptococcus pneumoniae for some members of the class), typical, atypical, and anaerobic pathogens. Fluoroquinolones have a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile that exhibits concentration-dependent killing and good oral absorption, allowing for once-daily dosing.Objective: Review of data from fluoroquinolone studies, with an emphasis on the associated rare, but potentially clinically important, adverse events in specific patient populations. Review of clinical efficacy is included where relevant to the topic under discussion.Methods: A literature search was conducted using terms including fluoroquinolones, ...