Abstract

In this article we review the three fluoroquinolone antimicrobials now marketed for systemic use in the UK (ciprofloxacin – Ciproxin; norfloxacin – Utinor, olfloxacin – Tarivid). All are fluorinated quinolone derivatives, the original of which was nalidixic acid, introduced over 30 years ago for the treatment of urinary tract infections.