Use of antibacterial agents in renal failure

This article reviews the pharmacokinetics of antibacterial agents in patien ts with normal and decreased renal function. The concepts of volume and dis tribution, rate of elimination, loading and maintenance doses, and therapeu tic drug monitoring are delineated. Special reference is made to the interm ittent dosing of cefazolin with hemodialysis. Newer, as well as traditional methods of extracorporeal circulation and the resultant changes in antibac terial agent pharmacodynamics are discussed.