host factors in prescribing antibiotics

Last reviewed 01/2018

Host factors:-

  • severity of infection - nausea and vomiting, intramuscular or intravenous etc
  • defences, if suppressed bactericidal treatment is needed
  • individual pharmacokinetics:-
    • age - renal function, neonates - hepatic and renal function
    • weight
    • renal failure - gentamicin, ethambutol
    • severe renal failure - avoid metronidazole, cotrimoxazole, penicillins, and tetracycline
    • hepatic disease - avoid erythromycin, clindomycin, rifampicin, isoiazid