The future of the quinolones.

This review attempts to predict the future of the newer fluoroquinolones by examining what we have learned about this class of compounds during the past decade, as well as what we are currently learning from research and developmental efforts. The molecular mechanism of action of these compounds provides the potential for use in clinical medicine in areas other than their role as antibacterial agents. The newer fluoroquinolones that are currently available and those that have been introduced into the pipeline are categorised by their current stage of development. Also listed are those compounds that have been withdrawn from further investigation. Office practice physicians consider the oral fluoroquinolones to be very effective therapeutic agents for many of their patients. Thus, the future of the fluoroquinolones looks promising because of their unique mechanism of action, the possibility of developing novel and improved compounds in this class, and the acceptance of these compounds as effective therapeutic agents by clinicians.