Pharmacokinetics of ceftizoxime in renal failure patients without dialysis

AIM: To investigate the pharmacokinetics of ceftizoxime (Cef) in renal failure patients without any dialysis and supply the basis for a suitable clinical regimen. METHODS: Cef in plasma and urine was assayed by HPLC. RESULTS: After injecting Cef 16.7 mg kg-1, Cef concentration in blood was described as a 2-compartment open model. The main pharmacokinetic parameters were Vd 0.55 +/- 0.17 L kg-1; AUC 879 +/- 460 mg L-1 h; Cl 27 +/- 11 mL kg-1 h-1. T1/2 beta was 15 +/- 4 h. CONCLUSION: T1/2 beta in renal failure patients was about 10 times longer than that in normal volunteers. The clinical regimen should be adjusted in renal failure patients with infection, either prolonging the interval between Cef administration, or decreasing Cef dosage.