The Decline of Fluoroquinolones Use in Clinics: 2015–2024 Data from an Italian Tertiary-Care Hospital

This study examines the trends in fluoroquinolone use in a tertiary-care hospital in Italy from 2015 to 2024, with a focus on the impact of European Medicines Agency (EMA) regulatory measures introduced in 2019. Analysing antimicrobial consumption data, the research found a significant overall reduction of 58% in fluoroquinolone use over the decade, with a marked decline of approximately 54.5% between 2019 and 2024 following EMA warnings and restrictions. Linear regression analysis demonstrated a strong downward trend in prescribing, likely influenced by hospital-level interventions such as personalized prescription protocols and electronic prescribing tools. Additionally, resistance rates among key pathogens, including E. coli and K. pneumoniae, decreased significantly during this period. These findings suggest that regulatory actions, combined with targeted hospital strategies, effectively reduced fluoroquinolone consumption, potentially contributing to improved antimicrobial stewardship and resistance patterns. Further research is warranted to assess how the observed decline in fluoroquinolone use translates to patient outcomes and whether replacement therapies are being used judiciously.