Study of the pharmacokinetics of cefpirome sulphate in the elderly
Abstract
Objective: To determine the appropriate method of administration of the cephem antibiotic cefpirome sulphate in elderly patients. Method: We studied cefpirome's pharmacokinetics in patients with urinary tract infections. Patients received cefpirome sulphate 0·5 g by intravenous drip infusion over 30 mins. Results: Patients with a creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) of 80 ml/min had an AUC of 96·7 μg·h/ml and a T 1/2 of 2·36 h, whereas those with Ccr of 40–80 ml/min had an AUC of 172·0 μg·h/ml and a T 1/2 of 3·45 h and those with Ccr of < 40 ml/min had an AUC of 152 μg·h/ml and a T 1/2 of 4·86 h. Conclusion: These results indicate that decreased kidney function can cause increases in the AUC and T 1/2 of cefpirome. Thus in elderly patients and perhaps also in other patients with decreased kidney function, cefpirome should be administered at an initial dose of 0·5 g.
