Review of antimicrobial use and considerations in the elderly population

Abstract

Pharmacologic management of infections in elderly patients presents multiple challenges to health care professionals due to variable pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and immune function. Age is a well-established risk factor for infection, but furthermore is a risk factor for prolonged length of hospital stay, increased incidence of complications, and significant and sustained decline in baseline functional status. In 2014, 46.2 million Americans were aged ≥65 years, accounting for 14.5% of the total population. By 2033, for the first time, the population of persons aged ≥65 years is projected to outnumber the people <18 years of age. According to the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, 154 million prescriptions for antimicrobials were estimated to have been written in doctors’ offices and emergency departments during a 1-year time period. In 2014, 266.1 million courses of antimicrobials were dispensed to outpatients by US community pharmacies. A study that evaluated 2007–2009 Medicare Part D data found that patients aged ≥65 years used more antimicrobials, at 1.10 per person per year, compared to 0.88 antimicrobials used per person per year in patients aged 0–64 years. With the abundance of antimicrobial prescriptions and the current growth in the number and proportion of older adults in the US, it is essential that health care providers understand appropriate antimicrobial pharmacotherapy in the elderly patient. This review focuses on the use and implications of antimicrobial agents in the elderly population.

Introduction

With an increasing elderly population in the US, and increasing antimicrobial resistance, it is important that health care providers understand how to utilize antimicrobials effectively and safely in this patient population. Americans aged ≥65 years currently constitute 14.5% of the US population, but by 2030 it is estimated that this proportion will increase to 20%.^1,2 Longer life spans and aging baby boomers will lead to a doubling of Americans aged ≥65 years during the next 25 years, to approximately 72 million people, and two out of three of these older Americans have multiple chronic conditions.³ These chronic conditions predispose aging patients to increased risks for morbidity and mortality from infections compared to younger patients. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention compared the leading causes of death, and numbers of death attributable to each respective cause, in patients aged ≥65 years between 1980 and 2015.⁴ Consistently since 1980, influenza and pneumonia have been in the top ten causes of death in this patient population, and in 2015, septicemia was the tenth leading cause of death in these patients.⁴ As patients age, the phenomenon of immunosenescence leads to increased risk of morbidity and mortality secondary to infectious disease processes due to a decline in both quantitative and qualitative immune function. Effective and safe antimicrobial therapy is essential to keeping this vulnerable population healthy and preventing morbidity and mortality due to infection. To be able to provide effective antimicrobial therapy to this population, we must understand the altered pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs in elderly patients due to comorbid conditions and the normal physiological changes associated with aging. We also must understand the relevant and major drug–drug interactions commonly found in the elderly, consider differences in drug delivery, and appreciate the increased risk factors for multidrug-resistant infections in the elderly population. What follows is a review of the important considerations health care providers must understand before initiating antimicrobial pharmacotherapy in elderly patients.

Considerations

Alterations in pharmacokinetics

Absorption

There does not appear to be evidence for significant changes in antibacterial absorption via the digestive system in the elderly patient.⁵ However, as persons age, the gastrointestinal tract undergoes a variety of morphological and functional changes leading to delayed gastric emptying, reduced splanchnic blood flow, and alterations in pH.⁶ Key pharmacokinetic parameters such as the bioavailability of orally administered medications are affected by these changes in the intraluminal environment (Table 1).⁷ Therefore, when treating elderly patients with oral antimicrobials, it is important to consider the impact, even if small, that these gastrointestinal changes may have on drug absorption.

Table 1.

Changes in pharmacokinetic factors associated with aging and potential effects on antimicrobial dosing

PK parameter	Considerations in elderly patients	Impact on drug pharmacokinetics	Potential effects on antimicrobial dosing	Example(s)	References
Absorption	Decreased gastric acid production	Impaired drug dissolution	Decreased bioavailability of drugs	Azithromycin, erythromycin, cefaclor, ceftibuten, itraconazole, ketoconazole, sulfonamides, dapsone, pyrimethamine, atazanavir	12, 14, 15
	Decreased gastric motility Decreased small bowel surface area Decreased splanchnic blood flow	Decreased absorption of drugs	Standard dose may be inadequate	Cefpodoxime proxetil	11
Distribution	Increased proportion of adipose tissue	Increased distribution of lipid-soluble drugs	Prolonged lipid-soluble drug half-life	Rifampin, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, oxazolidinones, tetracyclines, amphotericin B, imidazole antifungals	19, 20
	Decreased lean body mass Decreased total body water	Decreased distribution of water-soluble drugs	Increased plasma concentration	Aminoglycosides, glycopeptides, beta-lactams	19, 20
	Increased plasma alpha-1-acid glycoprotein levels	Decreased free concentration of basic antimicrobials	Standard dose may be inadequate	Macrolides	21
	Water accumulation near infection site (edema, ascites)	Decreased concentration of hydrophilic drugs in plasma and at site of infection	Standard dose may be inadequate		22
	Malnutrition/proteinuria leading to hypoalbuminemia	Increased concentration of free drug	Drug toxicity	Penicillins, ceftriaxone, sulfonamides, clindamycin	19, 21, 22, 25
Metabolism	Liver disease; normal physiological effects of aging on the liver	Decreased hepatic blood flow Decreased P450 CYP enzyme activity	Prolonged drug half-life of hepatically metabolized drugs	Macrolides, fluoroquinolones, azole antifungals, antiretrovirals	21, 25, 27
	Polypharmacy	Competition for CYP P450 hepatic enzymes	Variable drug activity	Macrolides, fluoroquinolones, azole antifungals, antiretrovirals	21, 25, 27
Elimination	Decreased renal function/renal disease	Decreased renal blood flow Decreased glomerular filtration rate Decreased drug removal	Prolonged drug half-life Accumulation of drug in plasma High serum concentrations Increased risk of toxicity	Beta-lactams, glycopeptides, aminoglycosides, daptomycin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole	31
	Renal replacement therapy	Increased drug removal	Dose adjustment required		32

Abbreviation: PK, pharmacokinetic.

Many gastrointestinal tract disorders demonstrate higher incidence with advancing age.⁸ The mucosal layer of the gastrointestinal tract is an essential component to drug absorption and has been suggested to play a protective role within the gastrointestinal tract. Goblet cells are responsible for the production of mucus and as patients age, the number of goblet cells produced decreases.⁹ A suboptimal mucosal layer in an elderly patient may impact the rate and extent of drug absorption.

In elderly patients, the absorption of cefpodoxime proxetil is approximately 30% lower compared to younger patients.¹⁰ Additionally, the half-life of cefpodoxime proxetil has been shown to be 14% longer in elderly patients compared to younger patients, at 3 hours compared to 2.67 hours.¹¹ However, neither of these differences in pharmacokinetics in elderly patients have been deemed clinically important, and therefore there are no recommendations for dosage adjustments in elderly patients for cefpodoxime proxetil.

Gastric pH can affect drug dissolution and absorption, as some formulations are best absorbed in either acidic or basic environments. There have been limited studies observing the changes in gastric pH in patients as they age. A study that compared the gastric acid secretion capacity of 29 young subjects and 79 elderly subjects concluded that gastric acid secretion does not appear to diminish with age.¹² Gastric and duodenal pH in healthy elderly patients (mean age, 71±5 years) under fasting conditions was 1.3 (range 1.1–1.6) and 6.5 (range 6.2–6.7), respectively.¹² The pH of the stomach and duodenum under fasting conditions in 24 young subjects in this same study were 1.7 (range 1.4–2.0) and 6.1 (range 5.9–6.4), respectively.¹² A study that measured the pH of the stomach in 14 young, healthy patients (mean age 30 years) found the fasting pH to be 2.05 (range 1.62–2.13).¹³ These studies suggest that the fasting pH of the gut does not change significantly as part of the normal aging process. However, when these studies looked at postprandial stomach and duodenal pH, they found that in the elderly patients, it took longer to return to fasting pH after meals.¹² The incidence of achlorhydria is about 10%–20% in elderly patients compared to <1% in younger subjects.¹⁴ Elderly patients may also be on acid suppressive therapy, or calcium supplementation in the form of calcium carbonate, which would further increase their gastrointestinal pH. Resultant increased gastric pH may affect antimicrobial bioavailability if the patient is taking the medication within 2–4 hours of a meal. Antimicrobials with reduced bioavailability when administered with food include azithromycin, erythromycin, cefaclor, and ceftibuten.¹⁵

Clinical data for drugs such as ketoconazole have shown reduced exposure (Cmax and AUC) in patients with a high gastric pH. Antimicrobials with similar reduced absorption in high pH environments include itraconazole, ketoconazole, sulfonamides, dapsone, pyrimethamine, and atazanavir. For example, at pH of 2, ketoconazole exhibits 100% dissolution after 30 minutes, versus only 10% dissolution after 60 minutes at pH greater than 6.¹⁶ This is extremely important, as acid-lowering agents are used frequently in the outpatient and inpatient setting. A 2006–2010 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey recorded that proton pump inhibitors were prescribed at 269.7 million adult ambulatory visits.¹⁷ With a significant number of patients on acid-suppressive therapies, loss of efficacy of drugs that require an acidic environment for dissolution and absorption is a valid concern. Weak acids in elevated pH environments can become more bioavailable, due to increased solubilization and dissolution. For example, raltegravir demonstrated a threefold increase in AUC and a fourfold increase in Cmax when administered concomitantly with omeprazole (Table 2).¹⁸ In order to avoid this potential alteration in intended drug bioavailability in elderly patients with elevated gastric pH, coadministration with acidic beverages can be considered. Acidic carbonated beverages may temporarily lower the stomach pH in order to improve the dissolution and absorption of specific products. For example, the bioavailability of ketoconazole increases when administered with Coca-Cola^® in patients who are also on a proton pump inhibitor.¹⁶

Table 2.

Effect of proton pump inhibitors on drug absorption⁷¹–⁷⁵

Drug	Omeprazole	Lansoprazole	Pantoprazole	Rabeprazole
Clarithromycin	a	No effect	Unknown effect	Unknown effect
Ketoconazole	↓ Absorption	↓ Absorption	Unknown effect	↓ Absorption
Itraconazoleb (capsules)	↓ Absorption	↓ Absorption	↓ Absorption	↓ Absorption
Voriconazolec	↑ Plasma drug exposure (Cmax and AUC)	c	c	c
Posaconazole (solution)	↓ Absorption	↓ Absorption	↓ Absorption	↓ Absorption
Cefpodoximed	↓ Concentration	↓ Concentration	↓ Concentration	↓ Concentration

Notes: ↓, decreased; ↑, increased.

^aOmeprazole increases concentration of clarithromycin in the gastric mucous, while clarithromycin inhibits CYP 450 metabolism of omeprazole.

^bItraconazole capsules require an acidic environment for absorption.

^cWhen initiating voriconazole in a patient receiving omeprazole at a dose of 40 mg/day or greater reduce the dose of omeprazole by 50%⁷⁴ (while in vivo studies were performed with omeprazole, other proton pump inhibitors can also inhibit metabolism of voriconazole via CYP 450 enzymes CYP 2C9 and/or CYP 3A4).

^dThere is no direct clinical evidence to confirm this interaction; however, the AUC of cefpodoxime has been shown to decrease by 40% when given with antacids such as aluminum/magnesium hydroxide and the histamine-2 receptor antagonist famotidine.⁷⁵

Abbreviation: CYP 450, cytochrome P450.

Distribution

Elderly patients tend to have an increased proportion of adipose tissue to lean mass compared to younger patients. With this increased fat content, lipophilic drugs will be more readily soluble in tissue compartments, leading to increased half-lives of lipid soluble drugs, including rifampin, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, oxazolidinones, tetracyclines, amphotericin B, and most of the imidazole antifungals.^19,20 A concomitant decrease in total body water and lean mass contributes to decreased solubility of water-soluble drugs in tissue compartments, leading to increased plasma concentrations of hydrophilic drugs, including aminoglycosides, beta-lactams, and glycopeptides (Table 1).^19,20 Due to this decreased total body water, elderly patients with severe infections should be administered full loading doses of aminoglycosides and glycopeptides when indicated.²⁰ Additionally, increased plasma alpha-1-acid glycoprotein levels in elderly patients can lead to decreased free concentration of basic antimicrobials, including macrolides.²¹

Common chronic diseases and their complications, such as edema secondary to chronic heart failure, and ascites secondary to cirrhosis and chronic liver disease, also impact drug distribution in the elderly. These conditions can lead to fluid accumulation near the site of infection, causing dilution of standard doses of antimicrobials at the infection site, which can result in treatment failure even if plasma drug levels appear to be therapeutic.²² Additionally, decreased plasma albumin secondary to proteinuria, malnutrition, or chronic disease can lead to decreased protein-bound drug fraction, resulting in increased free concentration of drug in the plasma.^19,22 This can result in increased free concentration of acidic antimicrobials, including penicillins, ceftriaxone, sulfonamides, and clindamycin.²¹

Metabolism

As discussed previously, studies have suggested that the mucosal layer undergoes significant changes in the elderly. Within the intestinal epithelium, there are numerous drug transporters, including p-glycoprotein (P-gp), and enzymes responsible for the absorption and bioavailability of drugs.²³ Phase I and phase II metabolic processes occur in the intestinal wall, and many of the drug-metabolizing enzymes present in the liver are also present in the gut wall.²⁴ In the elderly, changes to the intestinal epithelium may impact the bioavailability of antimicrobials that utilize these intestinal metabolic processes.

Reduced hepatic function as a result of normal aging or liver disease has a significant impact on the metabolism of hepatically metabolized antimicrobials in the elderly. Reduced hepatic blood flow or decreased hepatic function can lead to increased half-life of hepatically metabolized antimicrobials.²⁵ Additionally, polypharmacy can lead to drug competition for cytochrome P450 (CYP 450) hepatic enzymes, resulting in increased half-lives of hepatically metabolized antimicrobials, including macrolides, fluoroquinolones, azole antifungals, and antiretrovirals (Table 1).^21,26,27

Elimination

As patients age, there is an increased risk for decreased clearance of drug from the body due to declining function of the lung, kidney, bladder, gastrointestinal, and circulatory system, which leads to drug accumulation.²⁸

Although estimated creatinine clearance calculated with the Cockcroft Gault equation takes into account patient age, age alone is not predictive of impaired renal function and therefore patient-specific factors must always be assessed when dosing antimicrobial agents.²⁸ In the US, 4.9 million adults have kidney disease, and among those aged 60 years and older, the prevalence of chronic kidney disease is 39.4%.^29,30 Renal function declines as part of the normal aging process, even without concomitant renal disease. Therefore, it is paramount to assess renal function when considering the pharmacokinetics of antimicrobial agents in elderly patients. The kidneys are essential for drug elimination of many antimicrobial agents, including but not limited to beta-lactams, glycopeptides, aminoglycosides, daptomycin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. With decreased renal function leading to impaired drug clearance, renally eliminated drugs can accumulate in the body resulting in prolonged half-lives, high serum concentrations, and increased risk of toxicity.³¹ When renal replacement therapy is utilized in advanced kidney failure, drugs may be eliminated to a greater extent than with normal renal elimination, requiring patient- and agent-specific dosage adjustments (Table 1).³²

Drug delivery

Oral administration

There are many benefits of using oral administration compared with intravenous (IV) administration of antimicrobials in elderly patients, including reduced risk of infiltration, extravasation, fluid overload, catheter-related infections, and avoidance of pain associated with obtaining IV access.

Transitioning patients from IV to oral medications allows for earlier discharge from the hospital.^33,34 However, dysphagia, which affects 15% of elderly Americans, can be a barrier to oral administration.³⁵ In some patients, utilizing solution and suspension formulations instead of tablets and capsules may facilitate the administration process in patients with dysphagia, if they can be swallowed safely. However, characteristics of these liquid formulations including taste, texture, and volume required should be considered, as patients with dysphagia take substantially smaller sips than those without dysphagia. Additionally, since patients with dysphagia have decreased sensory awareness, too small of a volume to be swallowed could also present a challenge.³⁶ Table 3 lists commonly used antimicrobials, their availability as a liquid formulation, and if they can or cannot be crushed.^37–39

Table 3.

Common antimicrobials that are available as a liquid formulation and/or can be crushed³⁷–³⁹

Drug	Liquid formulation available?	Crushable/can capsule be opened?	Additional information
Penicillin V potassium	Yes	Yes
Amoxicillin	Yes	Yes (chewable tablet)	Do not crush modified release (Moxatag®)
Amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium	Yes	Yes (chewable tablet)	Do not crush modified release (Augmentin XR®)
Cephalexin	Yes	Yes
Cefuroxime	Yes	Not recommended due to bad taste
Cefpodoxime	Yes	Yes
Azithromycin	Yes	Yes
Clindamycin	Yes	No
Nitrofurantoin	Yes	No
Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole	Yes	Yes
Ciprofloxacin	Yes	Not recommended due to bad taste	Do not crush modified release (Cipro XR®)
Levofloxacin	Yes	Yes
Moxifloxacin	No	Yes
Doxycycline	Yes	No
Metronidazole	No	Suspension may be made from crushing tablets	Do not crush modified release (Flagyl ER®)
Rifampin	No	Yes
Linezolid	Yes	Yes

Feeding tubes are sometimes used to provide enteral nutrition and pharmacotherapy in patients with dysphagia. However, the absorption of antimicrobials administered via a feeding tube can be altered due to variations in stomach and duodenal pH, site of delivery of medication, altered gastrointestinal motility time, adsorption of drug to the tubing, or use of a formulation incompatible with administration via a feeding tube. For example, if ciprofloxacin is administered through a feeding tube, crushed tablets should be used instead of a suspension due to an increased risk of tube blockage with the suspension formulation.^40,41 In addition, the timing of enteral feeds can affect bioavailability of antimicrobial agents administered via a feeding tube. When enteral feeds are administered concomitantly with ciprofloxacin through a gastrostomy or jejunostomy tube, the bioavailability of ciprofloxacin is reduced by 27%–67%.⁴² Therefore, enteral feeds should be held for 1 hour before and 2 hours after fluoroquinolone administration.⁴³ Additional examples of medications that should be separated from enteral tube feedings include doxycycline, metronidazole, penicillin V, and voriconazole.⁴¹ Additional information regarding recommendations for antimicrobial administration in patients with limited gastrointestinal access can be found in the respective medication monograph or in the Handbook of Drug Administration via Enteral Feeding Tubes.⁴¹

IV access

Adequate IV access is important in order to quickly deliver life-saving antimicrobial medications to elderly patients being treated for microbial infections. The characteristics of the skin in elderly patients, including being thinner and more sensitive to bruising, can put elderly patients at increased risk of skin tears, hematomas, and other complications while trying to acquire and maintain adequate IV access.⁴⁴ In a patient population with higher incidence of heart disease and greater stroke risk, these elderly patients are also more likely to be on antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents, increasing their risk of bleeding as a result of these IV access complications.

Endothelial function, or the ability of a vessel to synthesize and release nitric oxide and other vasodilatory and protective chemicals that inhibit vascular stenosis as a result of injury, has been shown to be reduced in elderly patients.⁴⁵ This puts elderly patients at greater risk of suffering harm from administration of IV medications, and this should be considered when prescribing the route of antimicrobial administration. Although administration by mouth may result in reduced bioavailability due to altered absorption kinetics in the elderly, it may be favorable to IV administration in some cases.

Given the risks of infection and phlebitis with IV lines and the higher cost of IV antimicrobial formulations compared to oral formulations, it is important to advocate for the transition from IV to oral formulations as soon as clinically indicated. Although outpatient IV antimicrobial therapy may be required in the elderly population, identifying patients who may transition to oral therapy while in an inpatient setting can facilitate a faster discharge to home when continued IV access is not required.^33,34 For example, patients who are consuming a regular diet, taking other oral medication formulations, and improving clinically may be candidates for transition from IV to oral therapy. Earlier discharge results in reduced length of stay and decreased risk of acquiring common health care-associated infections and multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) infections.⁴⁶

IM administration

Intramuscular (IM) formulations of many antimicrobials are available and may be cost-efficient alternatives to IV therapies. IM formulations of cefazolin, gentamicin, penicillin, and imipenem are approximately one-tenth the cost of IV therapy.⁴⁷ In addition, IM therapy, which allows for self-administration at home, could facilitate earlier hospital discharge in patients who may be resistant to being discharged to a nursing facility. However, many elderly patients may not be candidates for self-administration at home, and so clinical judgment in these cases must be used.

Pharmacokinetic studies of IM ceftriaxone demonstrated complete absorption in healthy adults and the pharmacokinetics in elderly subjects are minimally altered.⁴⁸ IM administration could be a consideration in patients who exhibit difficult IV access.⁴⁹ However, it is important to note that IM administration of beta-lactam antimicrobials can be very painful and therefore should be reserved for patients without oral access who require short-term therapy or who exhibit difficulties in obtaining or maintaining IV access, as compliance may be compromised if a patient has to endure painful IM injections for extended periods of time. Lidocaine mixed with ceftriaxone for IM administration has been shown to mitigate the pain experienced with injection.⁴⁹

Immunizations help protect the aging population from infections, including influenza and pneumonia.⁵⁰ Appropriate administration of IM immunizations ensures an effective immune response and, subsequently, adequate active immunity. A 2006 study found that in elderly patients, body mass index (BMI) is correlated with deltoid subcutaneous layer thickness in both males and females.⁵¹ Additionally, females with the same BMI as males had significantly thicker subcutaneous layers (p=0.0001) and thinner muscle layers (p=0.0003).⁵¹ This study concluded that effective deltoid IM administration requires different needle lengths depending on patient BMI.⁵¹ In females with a BMI <35 kg/m², and in males with any BMI, a minimum needle length of 25 mm for IM injection was recommended.⁵¹ In females with BMI greater than 35 kg/m², a minimum needle length of 32 mm is recommended.⁵¹ Ensuring appropriate needle length depending on patient BMI is especially important when administering immunizations to elderly patients, who are at increased risk of complications and death from vaccine-preventable illnesses.⁵⁰

Multidrug resistance

Elderly patients and MDROs

Antimicrobial drug resistance is one of the leading concerns in health care today. With few antimicrobial agents with novel mechanisms of action in the pipeline, the problem is likely to persist for the foreseeable future. Elderly patients are at increased risk of acquiring drug-resistant bacterial infections due to multiple factors including more frequent and prolonged contact with the health care system, chronic disease states that impair immune function, immunosenescence that comes with normal aging, and use of medical devices prone to bacterial colonization including indwelling catheters. Patients and residents in long-term care facilities are more likely to be colonized with at least one MDRO, including extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producers, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE).⁵² In 2012, 6.3 million elderly patients in the US used long-term care services, representing approximately 10% of the population of persons aged ≥65 years.^53,54 This represents a substantial portion of the elderly population potentially colonized with an MDRO, and therefore at risk for MDRO infection.

Compared to infections with antimicrobial-susceptible organisms, infection with an MDRO is associated with significantly increased mortality.^55,56 A 12-year retrospective, single-center, surveillance study compared the rates of MRSA, VRE, and multidrug-resistant gram-negative (MDRGN) bacteria in cultures obtained within the first 48 hours of admission between patients aged ≥65 years and patients <65 years old.⁵⁷ There was a statistically significant higher admission prevalence in the older compared to the younger patients for each MDRO studied and for each year in the study.⁵⁷ Additionally, the admission prevalence per 1,000 age-stratified admissions for MDROs increased in both the older and younger patients between 1998 and 2009, with VRE and MDRGN for both groups and MRSA for younger patients having statistically significant increases (Table 4).

Table 4.

Admission prevalence of MDROs 1998–2009

Age	Admission prevalence (per 1,000 age-stratified admissions)
	MRSA			VRE			MDRGN
	Year		p-value	Year		p-value	Year		p-value
	1998	2009		1998	2009		1998	2009
Elderly (≥65 years)	6.6	16.3	0.7	0.89	1.41	<0.01	3.62	11.33	<0.01
Young (<65 years)	0.7	8.6	<0.01	0.15	1.51	<0.01	0.22	3.1	<0.01

Notes: MDRGN (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., Morganella spp., Proteus spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Citrobacter spp., Acinetobacter spp.). Data from Denkinger et al.⁵⁷

Abbreviations: MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; VRE, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus; MDRGN, multidrug-resistant gram-negative.

A retrospective two-center study that evaluated 55427 bacterial isolates compared the proportion of antimicrobial-resistant strains in younger (<65 years old) versus older (>65 years old) hospitalized patients.⁵⁸ Staphylococcus aureus isolates were more likely to be resistant to methicillin in older versus younger patients (50.9% versus 40.9%, respectively; p<0.001), while Enterococcus isolates were more likely to be resistant to vancomycin in younger patients versus older patients (19.4% versus 16.5%, respectively; p=0.009).⁵⁸ This data suggests that the frequency of resistance is not uniformly higher in bacteria isolated from elderly patients when compared to younger patients. Although elderly patients may be at increased risk of acquiring drug-resistant bacterial infections compared to younger patients, current evidence suggests that the incidence of drug-resistant infections is not consistently higher in this population. This information has important implications for antimicrobial stewardship when treating elderly patients for bacterial infections. Increased risk factors for MDROs should not preclude a provider from deescalating antimicrobials when appropriate, as available evidence suggests that age alone does not predict incidence of MDRO infection.

Drug interactions

Antimicrobials and warfarin: bleeding risk

Warfarin is a commonly used anticoagulant for both prevention and treatment of thromboembolic events, as well as management of atrial fibrillation. Warfarin enacts its anticoagulant effect by inhibiting the vitamin K-dependent activation of clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X.⁵⁹ Antimicrobials can increase the anticoagulant effect of warfarin via CYP 450 2C9 inhibition and via reduction of the vitamin K-producing bacteria in the intestines. Medications, foods, and comorbidities can affect the intestinal bacterial synthesis of vitamin K.⁶⁰ Poor oral intake and malnutrition can lead to increased warfarin efficacy due to lower vitamin K intake and stores, resulting in decreased production of clotting factors.⁶⁰ Given that two-thirds of elderly persons in the US have multiple chronic conditions, this population is at a higher risk for malnutrition.^3,60 A retrospective cohort study of 22272 US veterans who were prescribed warfarin for 30 days between 2002 and 2008 reviewed the risk of bleeding events within 30 days of antimicrobial exposure.⁶¹ This study evaluated antimicrobials known to be high risk for significant drug interactions with warfarin: trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, metronidazole, fluconazole, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and clarithromycin.⁶¹ Results of this study showed that concomitant high-risk antimicrobials resulted in significantly increased bleeding risk (HR 1.48; 95% CI 1.00–2.19).⁶¹ Early international normalized ratio (INR) evaluation occurring within 3–14 days of antimicrobial therapy initiation reduced the risk of serious bleeding events (HR 0.61; 95% CI, 0.42–0.88).⁶¹ It is important for health care professionals to predict the increased risk of bleeding when prescribing high-risk antimicrobials to elderly patients on warfarin therapy, and to have procedures in place to ensure appropriate INR monitoring during concomitant antimicrobial and warfarin therapy.

Ideally, these high-risk antimicrobials should be avoided in patients on concomitant warfarin therapy in order to avoid potential increased risk of bleeding. However, when high-risk antimicrobials must be used, close INR monitoring should be implemented. For some agents, empirically decreasing the warfarin dose may be warranted. With concomitant trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole or metronidazole therapy, consider reducing the warfarin dose by 25%–40%; with fluconazole, consider reducing the warfarin dose by 25%.⁶⁰

Antimicrobials and direct-acting oral anticoagulants: bleeding risk

When initiating antimicrobial therapy in a patient on concomitant direct-acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC) therapy, it is important to understand the potential drug–drug interactions in order to anticipate and prevent interactions that could lead to bleeding or clotting. Some antimicrobials affect P-gp transporter and CYP 450 3A4 enzyme function, resulting in drug interactions when administered concomitantly with DOACs.⁶² The bioavailability of dabigatran, a direct thrombin inhibitor, is significantly impaired by concomitant administration of rifampin, while with concomitant administration of itraconazole, exposure to dabigatran is significantly increased, leading to increased risk of bleeding.⁶³ Clarithromycin, erythromycin, fluconazole, and ketoconazole can alter the metabolism of rivaroxaban, a direct factor Xa inhibitor^62,64 (Table 5).

Table 5.

Interactions between DOACs and antimicrobials⁶²–⁶⁴,⁷⁶

Drug	Dabigatran	Rivaroxaban	Apixaban	Edoxaban
Mechanism of action	Direct thrombin inhibitor	Direct factor Xa inhibitor	Direct factor Xa inhibitor	Direct factor Xa inhibitor
Metabolism	P-gp substratea	CYP 3A4 substrateb	CYP 3A4 substrateb	P-gp substratea
Drug interactions	Clarithromycin Ketoconazole Rifampin	Clarithromycin Erythromycin Fluconazole Ketoconazole Rifampin	Clarithromycin Itraconazole Ketoconazole Rifampin	Rifampin

Notes:

^aP-gp inhibitors include ketoconazole and should be avoided with dabigatran; rifampin is a P-gp inducer.⁶³,⁷⁶

^bAntimicrobial CYP 450 enzyme inducers include (but are not limited to) efavirenz, nevirapine, primidone, rifabutin, rifampin; antimicrobial CYP 450 enzyme inhibitors include (but are not limited to) erythromycin, azithromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole.

Abbreviations: DOAC, direct-acting oral anticoagulant; P-gp, p-glycoprotein; CYP 450, cytochrome P450.

Concomitant administration of CYP 450 enzyme inducers and/or P-gp transporter inducers with DOACs will result in increased metabolism of the DOAC, which can lead to subtherapeutic anticoagulant drug levels and resultant increased risk for stroke, heart attack, and thromboembolism. Rifampin is both a CYP 450 enzyme inducer and a P-gp transporter inducer, and therefore concomitant therapy with a DOAC can decrease the serum concentration of the DOAC, increasing the clotting risk.^62,63,65 Antimicrobial CYP 450 enzyme inhibitors include clarithromycin, erythromycin, fluconazole, itraconazole, and ketoconazole, while P-gp transporter inhibitors include the macrolides, itraconazole, and ketoconazole.⁶³ Concomitant administration of these CYP 450 and P-gp transporter inhibitors with DOACs will result in decreased metabolism of the DOAC, which can lead to increased anticoagulant drug exposure and resultant increased risk for fatal and non-fatal bleeding.⁶⁵

Interactions with laboratory tests

It is important for clinicians to be mindful of potential interactions between antimicrobials and laboratory tests in order to appropriately anticipate and interpret the test results when caring for elderly patients.

Oritavancin, a glycopeptide used in acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections, has an important contraindication in concurrent use of IV unfractionated heparin for 120 hours, or 5 days, after oritavancin administration because it falsely elevates aPTT.⁶⁶

The galactomannan antigen test, a diagnostic tool used to detect invasive Aspergillus infections, can produce false-positives in patients taking beta-lactam antimicrobials. Galactomannan is an antigen found in the cell wall of Aspergillus species, but the test has a low sensitivity and can cross-react with Penicillium species.⁶⁷ Therefore, in patients taking beta-lactam antimicrobials derived from Penicillium species, false-positives can occur.

Significant and sustained increases in serum creatinine in patients with normal renal function have been reported in patients taking trimethoprim alone, or the combination trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole.⁶⁸ This elevation in serum creatinine lasted for up to 7 days after discontinuation of the drug.⁶⁸

Safety and tolerability

QT interval prolongation

Some antimicrobial agents can prolong the QT interval, leading to increased risk of Torsades de pointes (TdP). These agents include metronidazole, telavancin, macrolides, fluoroquinolones, hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, quinine, itraconazole, ketoconazole, and fluconazole.⁶⁹ Some of these agents increase the risk of TdP when taken alone, such as macrolides, fluoroquinolones, fluconazole, chloroquine, and hydroxychloroquine, while others put a patient at increased risk of TdP when taken concomitantly with other agents that can also increase the QT interval.⁶⁹

Adverse drug events

An adverse drug event (ADE) surveillance project that estimated the frequency and rates of hospitalization after emergency department visits for ADEs from 2007 to 2009 concluded that 48.1% of the hospitalizations for ADEs involved adults aged 80 years and older.⁷⁰ The annual national estimate of hospitalizations based on data from the National Estimates of Emergency Hospitalizations for Adverse Drug Events (NEISS-CADES) project reported that antimicrobial agents were involved in 3.8% of total hospitalizations for ADEs.⁷⁰ Antimicrobial agents were the fifth most common therapeutic category involved in hospitalizations.⁷⁰ The top ADEs associated with antimicrobial agents leading to hospitalization were allergic reactions (36.2%), dyspnea and weakness (22.5%), gastrointestinal effects (20.5%), and neurologic effects (18.3%).⁷⁰ Neurological ADEs, dyspnea, weakness, and effects on blood pressure could have significant negative implications in elderly patients, leading to altered mental status, falls, and hypotension. Additionally, patient factors that increase the risk for hospitalization due to ADEs include alterations in pharmacokinetics and polypharmacy, both of which are pertinent to the elderly population.⁷⁰

Elderly patients with decreased renal function as a result of normal aging or chronic kidney disease are especially at risk for complications and mortality when taking nephrotoxic antimicrobials, including aminoglycosides, vancomycin, beta-lactams, rifampin, and some of the fluoroquinolones. These patients are also more likely to experience polypharmacy, and may take nephrotoxic medications at baseline, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, furosemide, and thiazide diuretics. When these medications are continued with incidental nephrotoxic antimicrobials, the combination can result in acute kidney injury and/or renal failure, which can lead to significant negative sequelae including requirements for temporary or permanent renal replacement therapy.

Conclusion

There are many considerations to be made when caring for elderly patients: multiple comorbidities, polypharmacy potentially resulting in drug interactions, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes that can result in altered drug metabolism and subsequent toxic effects of drug accumulation, and an overall lack of drug study data in this patient population. With the number of Americans ≥65 years expected to double in the next 25 years, it is essential that health care providers are aware of these challenges and have a comprehensive understanding of optimal, safe, and effective antimicrobial pharmacotherapy when caring for these elderly patients.