Answer to Question #203981 in Microbiology for Emmanuel

Question

Discuss the factors that influence the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents

Answer 1

Age.

Patients at both extremes of age handle drugs differently, primarily due to differences in body size and kidney function. Most pediatric drug dosing is guided by weight.

Genetic Variation.

Genetic susceptibility to the adverse effects of antimicrobial agents, which has been demonstrated for several antimicrobial agents, is occasionally significant enough to warrant testing for such variability before administration of certain drugs.

Pregnancy and Lactation.

Special considerations for the use of antimicrobial agents in pregnancy relate to both the mother and the fetus.

History of Allergy or Intolerance.

A history of antimicrobial allergy or intolerance should be routinely obtained in the evaluation and management of infection.