A systematic review of the quinolones, the novel pharmacotherapeutics, and the broad spectrum of their clinical indications and pharmacotherapeutic characteristics

Abstract

Introduction: The newer fluoroquinolones have broad-spectrum bactericidal activity, excellent oral bioavailability, good tissue penetration and favourable safety and tolerability profiles. Objectives: The objective of this systematic review was a prismatic illumination on the quinolones, with an emphasis on the newer quinolones, the novel pharmacotherapeutics, thus enlightening on the expansive spectrum of their clinical indications and pharmacotherapeutic characteristics. Methods: The study was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) Statement and Guidelines, 2009, described by the Cochrane Collaboration in June, 2016. At first, the steps of identification included the records which were identified through database searching and the additional records which were identified through other sources. This led to the steps of screening, which included the screened records after the duplicates were removed. From these screened records, few records were excluded, as per the exclusion criteria. Then, in the eligibility step, the full text articles were assessed for eligibility, from which few full text articles were excluded, according to the exclusion criteria, with adequate reasons. This led to the final inclusion step, where the studies were included in the qualitative synthesis of a systematic review, according to the inclusion criteria, and ultimately the studies were included in the quantitative synthesis. Results: This systematic review, performed in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) Statement and Guidelines, 2009, described by the Cochrane Collaboration, June, 2016, contributed 2210 refined and relevant medical records, among total 3266 records obtained from the study databases search. It also describes the broad spectrum of their clinical indications and pharmacotherapeutic characteristics, which authenticate, validate, clarify, elaborate and complete this systematic review. Conclusions: To conclude, this systematic review provided the refined qualitatively synthesised medical records, study literature and databases on quinolones, and specifically on newer quinolones, with well-comprehensible elaborations.