Abstract

Ciprofloxacin (Ciproxin - Bayer) is the first of the new fluoroquinolone drugs to be introduced in Britain. Others, pefloxacin, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin are undergoing clinical trials. All are 60 times more active than nalidixic acid, the best known early quinolone, and reach bactericidal concentrations at many sites against a much wider range of organisms. Ciprofloxacin can be given by mouth or intravenously. It is strongly promoted for use in respiratory and urinary infections in general practice and in hospital. Several sponsored publications report on it.^1–4