THE PLACE OF TOBRAMYCIN IN LOWER RESPIRATORY-TRACT INFECTIONS (LRTI)

The Author provides a review of clinical experience with tobramycin as therapy for lower respiratory tract infections, in comparison to othe r aminoglycosides, including the pharmacokinetics and toxicity, dwelli ng on oto- and nephrotoxicity. The article includes a discussion of va rious dosing regimens of the aminoglycosides, focussing on efficacy an d toxicity arising from once-daily administration. The Author then pro vides a more detailed description of tobramycin's pharmacokinetics, in dications for its use, and the possibilities of once-daily dosing, con cluding that toxicity is favorably influenced by a single daily admini stration as well as efficacy, and that patient compliance and reduced hospital costs are other advantages of this regimen.