Using antimicrobial drugs: questions and answers

Abstract

In order to use antimicrobials well it is necessary to have information about the different drugs available, spectrum of activity, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic data such as tissue distribution, excretion and plasma, adverse effects. It is also necessary to have information about the type and site of infection, its causative agent and antimicrobial susceptibility. We could not cover all these aspects in one article and we chose to approach the general principles of antimicrobial treatment using questions and answers. Our goal is to provide the basics for the use of antimicrobials. We present the main classes of antimicrobials and their spectrum, concepts such as infection, colonization and contamination, interpretation of cultures, indications and treatment duration, route of administration, drug combination, criteria to evaluate response to treatment, and antimicrobial prophylaxis.