title: Antimicrobial pharmacodynamics.
abstract: The ultimate goal of antimicrobial therapy is to provide the best possible outcomes for patients. For this to occur, the clinician should be cognizant of many clinical, microbiologic, pharmacologic, and epidemiologic data as well as fundamental pharmacodynamic concepts. An understanding of pharmacodynamic principles is essential; it forms the scientific basis for the design of dosing strategies that maximize clinical efficacy and minimize toxicity. In the 1990s, data accumulated from in vitro models of infection, animal models of infection, healthy volunteer studies, and clinical trials that have expanded knowledge on how drugs best kill microorganisms. This knowledge has enabled clinicians to establish the best modes of antibiotic administration to maximize the killing of microorganisms and to optimize clinical outcomes.
authors.affiliation: University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy, Stockton, California, USA.
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Ambrose
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Owens
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grasela
mesh_terms: D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015242:Ofloxacin