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Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
11:17

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses

Published on: August 30, 2018

[Problems of pharmacotherapy of infections in the aged]

A Kuhnke1, H Lode

  • 1Abteilung für Lungen- und Infektionskrankheiten, Zentralklinik Emil von Behring, Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus, Freien Universität Berlin. haloheck@zedat.fu-berlin.de

Der Internist
|December 16, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Elderly patients face severe infectious diseases with higher mortality. This review details antibiotic choices, including newer options, considering age-related factors and drug interactions for better treatment outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Geriatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Context:

  • Infectious diseases are a significant concern in the elderly population.
  • Elderly individuals experience more severe disease progression, higher complication rates, and increased mortality.
  • Common infections include pneumonia, chronic bronchitis exacerbations, UTIs, and skin/soft tissue infections.

Purpose:

  • To review the indications and side-effects of established and novel antibiotics in elderly patients.
  • To highlight age-specific considerations for antibiotic therapy in geriatric populations.
  • To provide detailed insights into newer antibiotics such as Ertapenem, Linezolid, Quinupristin/Dalfopristin, and Telithromycin.

Summary:

  • The aging population presents unique challenges in infectious disease management.
  • Bacterial spectrum and resistance patterns in the elderly may differ from younger patients, influenced by hospitalization and nursing home residency.
  • Multimorbidity and polypharmacy necessitate careful consideration of drug interactions.

Impact:

  • Optimizing antibiotic selection for elderly patients can improve treatment efficacy.
  • Understanding age-related pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes is crucial for safe and effective prescribing.
  • This review aids clinicians in making informed therapeutic decisions for geriatric infectious disease cases.

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