FLUOROQUINOLONES Meaning and
Definition
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Fluoroquinolones refer to a class of antimicrobial medications known for their bactericidal activity against a broad range of gram-negative and some gram-positive bacteria. These compounds belong to the quinolone family, which are synthetic antibiotics characterized by a bicyclic ring structure with a fluorine atom attached.
The fluoroquinolones are widely utilized to treat a diverse array of infections caused by susceptible organisms, including respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal infections, skin and soft tissue infections, bone and joint infections, and sexually transmitted infections. They are considered a go-to option for both community-acquired and hospital-acquired infections due to their potency and spectrum of activity.
These medications work by inhibiting a key enzyme called DNA gyrase or topoisomerase IV involved in the replication, transcription, and repair of bacterial DNA. By interfering with these processes, fluoroquinolones impede the growth and proliferation of bacteria, ultimately leading to their death. However, it should be noted that due to the widespread use of fluoroquinolones, there has been an increase in bacterial resistance to this class of drugs.
Fluoroquinolones are available in various forms, including oral tablets, extended-release formulations, intravenous injections, and topical preparations. They are generally well-tolerated; however, they may cause certain adverse effects such as gastrointestinal disturbances, dizziness, photosensitivity, and tendon inflammation or rupture. Additionally, fluoroquinolones have been associated with rare but serious side effects, notably tendonitis and tendon rupture, peripheral neuropathy, and potentially life-threatening conditions like Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea and cardiac arrhythmias. Consequently, their use should be approached cautiously, with careful consideration of the risk-benefit balance.
Common Misspellings for FLUOROQUINOLONES
- fluorquinolones
- dluoroquinolones
- cluoroquinolones
- vluoroquinolones
- gluoroquinolones
- tluoroquinolones
- rluoroquinolones
- fkuoroquinolones
- fpuoroquinolones
- fouoroquinolones
- flyoroquinolones
- flhoroquinolones
- fljoroquinolones
- flioroquinolones
- fl8oroquinolones
- fl7oroquinolones
- fluiroquinolones
- flukroquinolones
- flulroquinolones
- fluproquinolones
Etymology of FLUOROQUINOLONES
The word "Fluoroquinolones" can be broken down into two parts: "Fluoro-" and "quinolones".
The prefix "Fluoro-" is derived from the element fluorine, which is known for its ability to form compounds with other elements. The term "fluoro" is commonly added to indicate the presence of a fluorine atom or the use of fluorine in a compound.
"Quinolones" refers to a class of synthetic antibacterial drugs that are derived from quinoline. Quinoline is a heterocyclic aromatic compound that consists of a benzene ring fused to a pyridine ring. Quinolones were initially derived from quinine, which is an antimalarial drug also derived from quinoline.
