PHARMACOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO ANTIBIOTIC STEWARDSHIP: STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTING ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
Keywords:
Antibiotic Stewardship, Antimicrobial Resistance, Clinical Pharmacology, Rational Antibiotic Use, Pharmacokinetics, PharmacodynamicsAbstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become one of the greatest global public health challenges of the twenty-first century. Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing, self-medication, prolonged treatment duration, and inadequate infection control have significantly accelerated the emergence of resistant microorganisms. Antibiotic stewardship programs have therefore become an essential component of modern clinical pharmacology. This review evaluates current pharmacological strategies used in antibiotic stewardship programs and their contribution to preventing antimicrobial resistance. Scientific publications indexed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were analyzed with particular attention to rational antibiotic prescribing, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic optimization, therapeutic drug monitoring, antimicrobial surveillance, and multidisciplinary stewardship interventions. Current evidence demonstrates that effective stewardship programs improve clinical outcomes, reduce unnecessary antibiotic exposure, decrease healthcare costs, and slow the development of antimicrobial resistance. Continued international collaboration and implementation of evidence-based pharmacological practices remain crucial for preserving antibiotic effectiveness.
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