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Updated: Sep 23, 2025

Antibiotic Dereplication Using the Antibiotic Resistance Platform
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Antibiotic Dereplication Using the Antibiotic Resistance Platform

Published on: October 17, 2019

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Drug repurposing to overcome microbial resistance

Josef Jampilek1

  • 1Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovicova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia; Department of Chemical Biology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Slechtitelu 27, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic.

Drug Discovery Today
|May 13, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global threat. This review explores drug repurposing as a strategy to combat resistant infections, examining its potential and limitations for developing new antibacterial drugs.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global health challenge.
  • The emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens ('superbugs') outpaces the development of new anti-infective drugs.
  • Existing treatments face limitations due to resistance and a lack of novel therapeutic agents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the causes of antimicrobial resistance.
  • To discuss various approaches for discovering and developing new anti-infective drugs.
  • To critically evaluate drug repurposing as a strategy for combating antimicrobial resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review summarizing causes of antimicrobial resistance.
  • Analysis of different strategies for anti-infective drug discovery and development.
  • Comprehensive overview of drugs from other indications tested for antimicrobial activity.
  • Critical assessment of repurposing non-antibiotics as antibacterial agents.

Main Results:

  • Antimicrobial resistance is driven by various factors, necessitating urgent solutions.
  • Drug repurposing shows promise by identifying existing drugs with potential antimicrobial activity.
  • Several non-antibiotic drugs have demonstrated in vitro activity, offering avenues for new therapeutic combinations.
  • Challenges and limitations exist in repurposing drugs for antibacterial applications.

Conclusions:

  • Drug repurposing is a viable strategy to address the antimicrobial resistance crisis.
  • Further research is needed to optimize and validate repurposed drugs for clinical use.
  • A multifaceted approach, including drug repurposing, is essential to combat the growing threat of infections.
Keywords:
AntibioticsAntimicrobial resistanceDrug repurposingInfectionsNon-antibiotic drugs

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