Table 2.

General Principles of Antimicrobial Therapy

• Obtaining an accurate diagnosis

• Understanding the difference between empiric and definitive therapy

• Understanding drug characteristics that are peculiar to antimicrobial agents (eg, pharmacodynamics and efficacy at the site of infection)

• Accounting for host characteristics that influence antimicrobial activity

• Recognizing the adverse effects of antimicrobial agents on the host

• Knowing when to consult specialists for guidance

NOTE. Adapted from Leekha et al.⁶⁷