Pharmacology of Mycobacterial Drugs in Children

Abstract

To effectively treat tuberculosis (TB), optimization of therapy guided by an understanding of pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic principles represents the strategy most likely to influence favorable patient outcomes. However, challenges are often encountered during TB treatment given the concomitant administration of multiple drugs, some with poorly defined therapeutic targets, for prolonged durations. Treatment is further complicated in children as many antitubercular drugs have not been extensively studied in the pediatric population where the impact of human development on drug disposition is relevant, but poorly understood. In this review, the pharmacokinetics (PK) of antitubercular drugs will be reviewed in the context of the pediatric population. Observed differences between adults and children with respect to TB therapy will be highlighted, and future considerations to enhance our understanding of TB drugs used in children will be explored.