THERAPEUTIC MONITORING OF AMINOGLYCOSIDE ANTIBIOTICS IN PLASMA BY RADIOIMMUNOASSAY

In 510 patients with bacterial infections treated with aminoglycoside antibiotics like gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin, or netilmicin, rapid adjustment of the therapeutic dosage was ensured by using radioimmunoassays for monitoring the plasma level of these drugs. The procedure increases the therapeutic safety, especially in patients whose renal function is impaired or in whom the dosage of the aminoglycoside antibiotic is difficult to assess. Thus side effects due to overdosage as well as inefficient treatment owing to underdosage are avoided.