Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in the development of antifungal compounds

Abstract

Antimicrobial pharmacodynamics describe the relationship between drug exposure and treatment outcome. Pharmacodynamic studies provide information useful for dose level and dosing interval selection and for the development of in vitro susceptibility guidelines. Pharmacodynamic observations from animal model studies have proven useful for outcome predictions in the treatment of human infections. The strength of these predictions has been demonstrated most clearly for antibacterial drugs. Recent studies suggest that similar analyses may also be useful for antifungal drug development.