The safety of quinolones in pregnancy

Quinolones and fluoroquinolones are highly efficient antibiotics. However, concerns regarding possible harmful effects have limited their use during pregnancy. Nevertheless, accumulating clinical data suggest that they may be safe during pregnancy. This review aimed to explore the mechanisms of action of the quinolones and fluoroquinolones, which set the stage for concerns regarding possible teratogenic and mutagenic effects; to clarify the clinical dilemmas that brought forth the necessity in reevaluating the use of those medications during pregnancy; and to review the accumulated data regarding their safety during pregnancy in animal models and humans. Target Audience: Obstetricians and gynecologists, family physicians Learning Objectives: After completing this CME activity, physicians should be better able to assess the mechanisms of action that had led to concerns regarding the use of fluoroquinolones during pregnancy, appraise the basic knowledge gained from animal studies about the effects of fluoroquinolones during pregnancy, and analyze the human data on the actual effect of variable fluoroquinolones in pregnancy.