The new antibiotics, 1997.

Some of the antimicrobial agents released in the past few years possess characteristics suggesting real advantages over older agents (see Table I). These advantages include broader spectrum of activity, favorable pharmacokinetic profile allowing for infrequent dosing, low toxicity and lower pricing. Although older agents and agents with narrower spectra should be considered first-line in most circumstances, there may be some clinical scenarios in which these newer agents should be contemplated as reasonable alternatives.