SORA

Advancing, promoting and sharing knowledge of health through excellence in teaching, clinical practice and research into the prevention and treatment of illness

What do I need to know about aminoglycoside antibiotics?

Germovsek, E; Barker, CI; Sharland, M (2017) What do I need to know about aminoglycoside antibiotics? Archives of Disease in Childhood: Education and Practice Edition, 102 (2). pp. 89-93. ISSN 1743-0593 https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2015-309069
SGUL Authors: Barker, Charlotte Ida Sophia

[img]
Preview
PDF Accepted Version
Available under License ["licenses_description_publisher" not defined].

Download (364kB) | Preview

Abstract

The aminoglycosides are broad-spectrum, bactericidal antibiotics that are commonly prescribed for children, primarily for infections caused by Gram-negative pathogens. The aminoglycosides include gentamicin, amikacin, tobramycin, neomycin, and streptomycin. Gentamicin is the most commonly used antibiotic in UK neonatal units. Aminoglycosides are polar drugs, with poor gastrointestinal absorption, so intravenous or intramuscular administration is needed. They are excreted renally. Aminoglycosides are concentration-dependent antibiotics, meaning that the ratio of the peak concentration to the minimum inhibitory concentration of the pathogen is the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic index best linked to their antimicrobial activity and clinical efficacy. However, due to their narrow therapeutic index, the patient’s renal function should be monitored to avoid toxicity, and therapeutic drug monitoring is often required. Here we provide a review of aminoglycosides, with a particular focus on gentamicin, considering their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and also practical issues associated with prescribing these drugs in a paediatric clinical setting.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: © 2016 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd & Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
Keywords: Pediatrics, 1114 Paediatrics And Reproductive Medicine
SGUL Research Institute / Research Centre: Academic Structure > Infection and Immunity Research Institute (INII)
Journal or Publication Title: Archives of Disease in Childhood: Education and Practice Edition
ISSN: 1743-0593
Dates:
DateEvent
1 April 2017Published
9 August 2016Published Online
6 July 2016Accepted
Publisher License: Publisher's own licence
Projects:
Project IDFunderFunder ID
242146Seventh Framework Programmehttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100004963
SP4650 GN1834Action Medical Researchhttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000317
261060Seventh Framework Programmehttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100004963
URI: https://openaccess.sgul.ac.uk/id/eprint/108101
Publisher's version: https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2015-309069

Statistics

Item downloaded times since 01 Aug 2016.

Actions (login required)

Edit Item Edit Item