Gentamicin's efficacy increases with higher peak concentrations; the statement is true.

Gentamicin's efficacy increases with higher peak concentrations; the statement is true.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Depends on organism

Answer: (A)

Concentration-dependent killing drives the efficacy of gentamicin: higher peak drug levels relative to the organism’s MIC lead to more rapid and extensive bacterial killing. This is summarized by the Cmax/MIC PK/PD concept, and higher peaks also contribute to a longer post-antibiotic effect, aiding suppression even after the drug concentration falls below MIC. Therefore, the statement is true. In clinical practice, this benefit must be balanced against toxicity risk, so dosing aims to maximize peaks while keeping troughs low, often using once-daily or extended-interval regimens.

Concentration-dependent killing drives the efficacy of gentamicin: higher peak drug levels relative to the organism’s MIC lead to more rapid and extensive bacterial killing. This is summarized by the Cmax/MIC PK/PD concept, and higher peaks also contribute to a longer post-antibiotic effect, aiding suppression even after the drug concentration falls below MIC. Therefore, the statement is true. In clinical practice, this benefit must be balanced against toxicity risk, so dosing aims to maximize peaks while keeping troughs low, often using once-daily or extended-interval regimens.