title: Quinolone therapy in intensive care unit settings.
abstract: Three fluoroquinolone antimicrobials (norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and ofloxacin) could be used to prevent or treat infections in intensive care unit patients. All of these fluoroquinolones are particularly active against Gram-negative, aerobic bacteria. However, the pharmacokinetic properties of each fluoroquinolone are unique. Furthermore, only ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin are available for intravenous administration. Based on current, available information: a) fluoroquinolones are not endorsed for inclusion in selective decontamination protocols; b) fluoroquinolones are endorsed for empiric therapy of suspected Gram-negative bacterial infections based on local microorganism susceptibility patterns; and c) fluoroquinolones are endorsed for treatment of microbiologically documented infections based on their distribution properties, low rate of toxicity, and rapid bactericidal effect.
authors.affiliation: Buffalo Veterans Administration Medical Center, State University of New York at Buffalo 14215.
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Beam
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000600:supply & distribution / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009643:Norfloxacin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000600:supply & distribution / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000600:supply & distribution / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D015242:Ofloxacin; D009643:Norfloxacin