OPTIMIZATION OF ANTIBIOTIC-THERAPY IN CYSTIC-FIBROSIS PATIENTS - PHARMACOKINETIC CONSIDERATIONS

Antibiotic therapy plays a central role in the medical management of p atients with cystic fibrosis. While totally convincing efficacy data a re lacking, antibiotics probably have a pronounced beneficial effect o n both morbidity and mortality. Much has been learned in the past 20 y ears about antibiotic use in this population. At the same time, new an timicrobial agents with the potential to treat this condition have bec ome available for use. The pharmacokinetics of a number of antibiotic classes, including beta-lactams, aminoglycosides and quinolones, are a ltered in this patient population. Increased total body clearance is a common occurrence but is not always changed enough to warrant altered dosages. Nonetheless, in light of altered pharmacokinetics in the cys tic fibrosis population, appropriate dosage and monitoring parameters for a number of antibiotics have been determined.