Antibiotic agents in the elderly.

Diagnosis and treatment of infections in the elderly is challenging and complicated because of age-related physiologic changes and lack of classical clinical symptoms. Elderly patients are more vulnerable to infections because of their underlying diseases. This article reviews the pharmacologic issues in treating the elderly with antibiotics, the most frequently encountered infections in this patient population, and the suggested antibiotic regimens. The discussion also includes the special challenges of treating these most frequently encountered infections in the elderly who reside in long-term care facilities.