Nikkomycins Are Finally Getting Some Respect

Besides azoles, candins and the polyene class of antifungals there is not much to select from when it comes to systemic fungal infections.  Until the recent arrival of voriconazole and posaconazole, infections caused by molds always required amphotericin B to control.  Only for Candida several good treatments exist on the Continue reading Nikkomycins Are Finally Getting Some Respect

It’s Not a Free-Enterprise Market, Stupid!

The economics of developing antibacterials is a frustrating topic to address.  There are unique aspects to the antibiotic market which sets it apart from other medicines, esp. the unique societal aspects of antibiotic use which go beyond the benefit to the individual. IDSA has spoken out in various publications (“Bad Continue reading It’s Not a Free-Enterprise Market, Stupid!

QT Prolongation with Azithromycin and Levofloxacin

Several antibiotic classes are associated with QTc prolongation: macrolides, quinolones, the antimalarials that share the quinine structure, and many azole antifungals.  FDA warned about the proarrhythmic effects of azithromycin in 2013 [i] but it is a recent publication by Rao which brings the message home again with some very disquieting Continue reading QT Prolongation with Azithromycin and Levofloxacin