Abstract and Introduction
Introduction
The approval of ciprofloxacin by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on October 22, 1987 marked the introduction of the fluoroquinolones into the United States.[1] These drugs offer a broad antibacterial spectrum, as well as extensive penetration into deep compartments, and highly bioavailable oral formulations. By 2002, fluoroquinolones were the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in adults.[2] More than 7,500,000 prescriptions were written for ciprofloxacin in 2015, making it the 9th most frequently prescribed medication of all types in the United States. Thirty years after their introduction fluoroquinolones remain a popular option for treatment of a variety of infections, in spite of concerns over the risk for serious adverse effects with their use and the growing development of fluoroquinolone resistance. With the release of the latest FDA drug safety communication on the risks of fluoroquinolones last month, the time has come for a reassessment of their use.[3]
Pediatr Pharm. 2018;24(8) © 2018 University of Virginia
