[Antibiotics given subcutaneously to elderly].
OBJECTIVE
To find out data of antibiotics efficiency and tolerance given subcutaneously (SC) to elderly.


METHODS
A literature review based on subcutaneous route of antibiotic has been done in PubMed and Cochrane Library.


RESULTS
Seventeen studies about ten antibiotics have been selected. According to HAS recommendations, methodology of these articles is poor: 3 are level B and 14 level C. Only amikacin, ceftriaxon and thiamphenicol have an official mention about SC route. Our literature review indicates that other antibiotics have been injected by SC route sometimes with local complication: gentamicin, netilmicin, tobramycin, sisomicin, cefepim, ampicillin, teicoplanin and ertapenem. Aminoside SC administration seems to be contra-indicated in clinical practice because of skin necrosis. However for other antibiotics, studies reveal poor evidence-based medicine and non specific geriatric patient inclusion. For these reasons, SC route for elderly isn't recommended.


CONCLUSIONS
Antibiotics given SC are little documented despite the great interest for elderly. Reasons of administration are often non official mention engaging prescriber responsibility.
Robelet
Antoine
A
Service Pharmacie, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France.
Caruba
Thibaut
T
Corvol
Aline
A
Bégué
Dominique
D
Gisselbrecht
Mathilde
M
Saint-Jean
Olivier
O
Prognon
Patrice
P
Sabatier
Brigitte
B
D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue / Q000473:pathology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents