title: Quinolones: their uses in geriatric infections.
abstract: The quinolones represent a unique class of drugs which offer a new option for clinicians to treat a wide variety of infections in the elderly patient. Whereas the emergence of resistance is a major problem with the older quinolones such as nalidixic acid, this appears to be a minor problem with the new fluoroquinolones such as norfloxacin or ciprofloxacin. These drugs are bactericidal and are well-absorbed orally. Parenteral preparations should be available in the future. The drugs are particularly active against gram-negative bacilli, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The fluoroquinolones are less active against pneumococci, Group A streptococci, Pseudomonas cepacia, and most anaerobes. The drugs appear potentially useful to treat urinary tract infections caused by multiply resistant pathogens, prostatitis, gastrointestinal pathogens, osteomyelitis, gram-negative pneumonia, and sexually transmitted diseases. Adverse effects occur in approximately 10% of patients and include gastrointestinal symptoms and potential central nervous system toxicity in patients receiving theophylline, non-steroidal drugs, or caffeine. The oral quinolones may reduce the costs of treating serious infections in the elderly.
authors.affiliation: University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester.
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Gantz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000892:Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009643:Norfloxacin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000892:Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary; D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D009643:Norfloxacin