Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Drugs

Pharmacokinetics (PK) describes the concentration–time profile of a drug in the body, whereas pharmacodynamics (PD) relates drug exposure to its biological effects, such as the ability of an antibiotic to inhibit or kill bacteria. In simple terms, PK reflects what the body does to the drug, while PD reflects what the drug does within the body.

Whilst this edition of the Journal is PK/PD of drugs, as the journal title suggests, it will concentrate on antibiotics.

Unlike many other therapeutic agents, the PD effects of antibiotics are not easily or immediately measurable at the bedside. For example, the PD response to noradrenaline can be titrated to a target blood pressure, and the effect of insulin can be monitored directly through blood glucose levels. In contrast, the clinical impact of antibiotic exposure is far less straightforward to quantify, often requiring integration of microbiological, pharmacological, and clinical outcomes.

Over the past decade, it has become increasingly clear that successful treatment of infection depends not only on selecting the appropriate antimicrobial agent, but also on optimizing its exposure—administering the right drug, at the right dose, at the right time, and in the right patient. PK/PD principles therefore play a critical role in maximizing efficacy, minimizing toxicity, and limiting the emergence of antimicrobial resistance.

For this reason, we particularly welcome original research that bridges pharmacological theory and clinical practice, including studies that evaluate PK/PD relationships in real-world clinical settings. Contributions based on clinical cohorts, therapeutic drug monitoring, special populations, and real-life treatment strategies are especially encouraged, as they provide insights that extend beyond controlled experimental conditions and directly inform patient care.

The growing body of PK/PD literature reflects the recognition that dose optimization is as important as drug selection in modern antimicrobial therapy. Through this issue, we aim to further highlight the importance of PK/PD-driven approaches and to foster the submission of high-quality studies that advance the clinical application of these principles in the management of infectious diseases.