ABSTRACT
Empiric antimicrobial therapy is a necessity in the critically ill patient with a lifethreatening infectious disease. There are several factors that go into antibiotic selection including spectrum of activity against the presumed pathogens, which is related to the source of infection or organ system involved; second, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic considerations which affect dosing and concentration in the source organ for the sepsis; third, the resistance potential of the antibiotic. Although cure of the patient is the immediate priority, drug selection has a subsequent effect on the flora of the critical care unit (CCU) and eventually may impact on the flora of the hospital. The fourth consideration is the safety profile of the drug, which has to do with adverse side effects and interactions, as well as the patient’s allergic drug history. One of the most common problems encountered in treating critically ill patients is the question of penicillin allergy.
