title: Prolonged infusions of β-lactam antibiotics: implication for antimicrobial stewardship.
abstract: The optimal dosage and administration of antibiotics are not only important measures to combat antimicrobial resistance, but they are also integral to antimicrobial stewardship. In light of a diminishing antibiotic pipeline and an alarming rise in resistance, the optimal dosage and administration of antimicrobial agents have been under a great deal of scrutiny. Prolonged infusions of β-lactam antibiotics have been proposed as an alternate dosing strategy. To summarize the evidence on prolonged infusions of β-lactam agents and provide their clinical implications for antimicrobial stewardship, we performed a MEDLINE search (1950-2011) of all relevant articles. This article provides a review of data from Monte Carlo simulations, clinical outcome analyses, and pharmacoeconomic studies. Furthermore, protocol implementation strategies are discussed to address antimicrobial stewardship.
authors: Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. j.george@usp.edu
authors: Jomy M
authors: JM
authors: George
authors: Trent G
authors: TG
authors: Towne
authors: Keith A
authors: KA
authors: Rodvold
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D017850:Economics, Pharmaceutical; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D047090:beta-Lactams / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D047090:beta-Lactams