Subcutaneously administered antibiotics

Abstract

The subcutaneous route is a widely used route of administration in routine clinical practice, particularly in elderly patients, when the intravenous route cannot be used. This review of the literature highlights the lack of randomized studies and the lack of pharmacokinetic data on the use of this route of administration. Three antibiotics administered subcutaneously can be used for severe infections, with acceptable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data, when the intravenous administration is not possible: ceftriaxone, ertapenem, and teicoplanin.

Keywords: Administration sous-cutanée; Antibiotics; Antibiotiques; Pharmacocinétique; Pharmacokinetics; Subcutaneous administration; Tolerability; Tolérance.