FUNDAMENTALS OF ANTIMICROBIAL PHARMACOKINETICS AND PHARMACODYNAMICS

Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in the theory and applications of pharmacodynamics of antimicrobial agents. On the basis of pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling concepts it has become possible to describe and predict the time course of antimicrobial effects under normal and pathophysiological conditions. The study of pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships can be of considerable value in understanding drug action, defining optimal dosing regimens, and in making predictions under new or changing pre-clinical and clinical circumstances. Not surprisingly, pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling concepts are increasingly applied in both basic and clinical research as well as in drug development.