"PHARMACOKINETIC VARIATIONS OF FLUOROQUINOLONES IN DIABETES: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW"

Abstract

Quinolones, with their broad-spectrum activity and favorable attributes, have remained a focal point of scientific and clinical interest since their emergence in the 1960s. These antibiotics are recognized for their potency, versatility, bioavailability, and efficacy against various pathogens, including multidrug-resistant strains. They find frequent application in managing conditions such as pneumonia and urinary tract infections, primarily by disrupting bacterial DNA replication and transcription, culminating in cell death.

However, recent investigations have unveiled an unsettling association between fluoroquinolones and blood sugar irregularities in diabetic patients. The use of fluoroquinolones, particularly certain subtypes, has been linked to an elevated risk of severe dysglycemia, with variations observed among specific fluoroquinolones. Among these, mexifloxacin has been identified as a prominent contributor to hypoglycemic events. The dysglycemic effects of gatifloxacin and levofloxacin have also been documented. This trend has been referred to as a "class effect," with odds of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia more pronounced with specific fluoroquinolones, although not uniformly observed with ciprofloxacin.

This abstract emphasizes the significance of monitoring blood sugar levels in diabetic patients receiving fluoroquinolone treatment and underscores the varying risks associated with different members of this class of antibiotics.