Nowadays, the evaluation of known drugs against different targets or
diseases has become a new strategy in drug discovery. Many of known drugs have
exhibited very good efficacy against TB and this methodology is very fruitful because
PK-PD (Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic), toxicity and preclinical studies are
known for such drugs, which can be useful for conducting clinical trials directly.
Fluoroquinolones are the best example, where moxifloxacin and, gatifloxacin used as
antiinfective drugs are in advanced clinical trials against TB (Chapter 2). Known drugs
exhibiting anti TB activity can also be used as a start point for chemical modifications
in the search of new TB lead compounds. In this context several known drugs, such as
antimalarial drugs, isoxyl, thiosemicarbazone, clofazimine, diclofenac, macrolide and
thioridazine will be highlight in this chapter.
Keywords: Tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, known drugs, drug
development, treatment, clinical trials, multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR
TB), extensive-drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB), AIDS, target, mechanism
of action, synthesis.
