PHARMACOKINETICS OF INTRAVENOUS AND INTRAPERITONEAL CEFOTAXIME IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING CAPD

We investigated the pharmacokinetics of non-metabolized cefotaxime in 10 patients undergoing CAPD. The elimination half-life after IV administration of I g cefotaxime was 3.1 ± 1.3 hr, i.e. two to three times longer than in individuals with normal renal function but similar to patients with severe renal insufficiency. An average of 2.18 % of the dose was recovered in the effluent. The halflife of I g cefotaxime administered in the dialysis solutions was 1.4 ± 0.8 hr. This difference between the half-lives after intraperitoneal and intravenous administration indicates a faster transport through the peritoneal membrane. Intraperitoneally administered cefotaxime-250 mg four times daily, was effective in the treatment of peritonitis in three CAPD patients. Since its introduction in 1976, CAPD has become an effective therapy for end-stage renal disease. The most serious complication is peritonitis and effective treatment is essential. Cefotaxime, a new broad-spectrurn cephalosporin, is active against most gramnegative and gram-positive organisms