Aerosolized antibiotics for treating hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Hospital-acquired pneumonia is a common complication that continues to have a poor cure rate in some patients with intravenous therapy alone. Aerosolized antibiotics are theoretically attractive in an attempt to optimize lung concentrations of antibiotics. Limited data suggest that aerosolized aminoglycosides or colistin in addition to intravenous therapy results in good response rates in patients with multidrug-resistant organisms or nonresponding pneumonia. Adverse events can occur, especially with colistin. When used, care should be taken to properly compound and administer aerosolized antibiotics to ensure tolerability and good drug delivery.
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy, 881 Madison Avenue, Suite 205, Memphis, TN 38163, USA. cwood@uthsc.edu
G Christopher
GC
Wood
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000336:Aerosols; D000617:Aminoglycosides / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003091:Colistin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D054796:Drug Dosage Calculations; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D053717:Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000336:Aerosols; D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003091:Colistin