PHARMACOKINETICS OF PIPERACILLIN IN HOSPITALIZED-PATIENTS

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 23  (8) , 391-394
Abstract
Piperacillin is an extended-spectrum penicillin active against Pseudomonas. It is effective in the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections and urosepsis. Much of the pharmacokinetic information available is obtained from normal subjects. Piperacillin pharmacokinetics in hospitalized patients was evaluated. Ten clinically stable hospitalized urology patients were given 4 g of piperacillin i.v. in a single dose. Serial blood samples were then obtained and serum piperacillin concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The following pharmacokinetic parameters (mean .+-. SD) were determined: half-life = 1.09 .+-. 0.31 h, elimination rate constant = 0.69 .+-. 0.22 h-1, volume of distribution = 0.36 .+-. 0.13 l/kg, total body clearance = 0.230 .+-. 0.054 l/h per kg. These parameters are comparable to those obtained in normal subjects except for the volume of distribution which is slightly higher than that reported in healthy volunteers. Pharmacokinetic information obtained in healthy subjects may, therefore, be applied to the clinically stable hospitalized urology patient. Changes in pharmacokinetic characteristics may be found in the critically ill patient with compromise in hemodynamics and significant 3rd spacing of fluid.

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