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Tridib Chaira
Tarani Kanta Barman
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REVIEW ARTICLE

Pharmacokinetic scaling and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics for rational prediction of antibacterial dosage regimens in animals to mitigate antimicrobial resistance

Tridib Chaira1* ,  Rashmi Kumari2 ,  Shailendra Chauhan3,4 ,  Tarani Kanta Barman3,4*
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1 Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University, Gurugram, Haryana, India
2 Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States of America
3 Department of Pathology, John Sealy School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
4 Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
MI, 026210055 https://doi.org/10.36922/MI026210055
Received: 24 May 2026 | Revised: 6 July 2026 | Accepted: 9 July 2026 | Published online: 27 July 2026
© 2026 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
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Abstract

The rapid emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a significant challenge in both human and veterinary medicine, largely driven by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics, including inappropriate cross-species dosage extrapolation. Empirical antimicrobial dosing can result in subtherapeutic exposure, disruption of the microbial ecosystem, and increased selective pressure, thereby accelerating the emergence and dissemination of resistant bacteria. Maintaining microecological homeostasis, particularly the stability of the commensal microbiota, is increasingly recognized as essential for limiting the development of resistance and preserving host health. Although interspecies scaling, Monte Carlo simulations, population pharmacokinetics (PK), and physiologically based PK models have been used to predict dosage regimens, their complexity and extensive data requirements restrict routine application in veterinary practice. In this context, PK/pharmacodynamic (PD) modeling provides a practical and scientifically robust framework for rational antimicrobial therapy. By integrating drug concentration–time profiles with antimicrobial effects, PK/PD-guided approaches enable species-specific dose optimization that improves therapeutic efficacy, minimizes ecological disruption, and reduces AMR selection pressure. This review highlights the application of modern PK/PD strategies in veterinary medicine as an essential tool for sustainable antimicrobial stewardship, AMR mitigation, and preservation of microbial ecosystem stability.

Graphical abstract
Keywords
Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic
Allometric scaling
Dose prediction
Antibacterial dosage
Physiological time
Funding
None.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
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