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 other aminoglycosides, including the pharmacokinetics and toxicity, dwelling on oto- and nephrotoxicity. The article includes a discussion of various dosing regimens of the aminoglycosides, focussing on efficacy and toxicity arising from once-daily administration. The Author then provides a more detailed description of tobramycin's pharmacokinetics, indications for its use, and the possibilities of once-daily dosing, concluding that toxicity is favorably influenced by a single daily administration as well as efficacy, and that patient compliance and reduced hospital costs are other advantages of this regimen.