Use of antibacterial agents in renal failure

This article reviews the pharmacokinetics of antibacterial agents in patients with normal and decreased renal function. The concepts of volume and distribution, rate of elimination, loading and maintenance doses, and therapeutic drug monitoring are delineated. Special reference is made to the intermittent dosing of cefazolin with hemodialysis. Newer, as well as traditional methods of extracorporeal circulation and the resultant changes in antibacterial agent pharmacodynamics are discussed.