🧫 Beta-lactam antibiotics kill sensitive bacteria by inactivating key enzymes involved in cell wall synthesis, termed penicillin binding proteins. The specific beta-lactam agents have different half-lives, but all demonstrate time dependent killing . This refers to the phenomenon that the duration that the pathogen is exposed to the beta-lactam drug is the most important determinant of bacterial eradication and clinical response

⭕️ Maximizing the duration of exposure can be accomplished in three possible ways:

Increasing the dose, shortening the dosing interval, or prolonging the infusion time.

🧫 Prolonged infusion administration strategies for intravenous beta-lactam

antibiotics may include either a continuous infusion (over the entire dosing interval) or an extended infusion (over 2 to 4 hours) as opposed to traditional, intermittent infusion times(over 30 to 60 minutes).

⭕️ The benefits of prolonged infusion strategies include (cost savings, ease of administration in ambulatory settings, and a theoretical reduction in risk of acquired drug resistance.

For examples : 

Meropenem chemical stability at room temperatures  (4 to 8 hours)  and its  Commonly used extended infusion times is  (3-4 hr)

Cefepime ( Stability at room temperature 24 hr and its Commonly used extended infusion time is (4-8hr)

🛑 Potential drawbacks to prolonged infusion beta-lactam dosing strategies include several

logistical barriers, such as need for intravenous line access, drug stability at room temperature, and compatibility with coadministered intravenous drugs.

So prolonged infusion strategies preferred for  patients with an elevated risk of drug-resistant pathogens and/or patients with severe infections who may have altered pharmacokinetics

Source 

Infections in hematology book