Subcutaneously administered antibiotics.

• Analysis of 484 articles assessing the use of the SC route in elderly patients presenting with severe infections when the IV route cannot be used. • Reminder of key points on the use of the SC route and associated PK parameters. • Choice of possible SC antibiotics based on consolidated literature data: ertapenem and teicoplanin. • Based on the literature review, a summary table (Table 4) of antibiotics that can be included in treatment protocols is provided. The subcutaneous route is a widely used route of administration in routine clinical practice, particularly in elderly patients, when the intravenous route cannot be used. This review of the literature highlights the lack of randomized studies and the lack of pharmacokinetic data on the use of this route of administration. Three antibiotics administered subcutaneously can be used for severe infections, with acceptable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data, when the intravenous administration is not possible: ceftriaxone, ertapenem, and teicoplanin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]