RENAL ELIMINATION OF CEFTAZIDIME DURING PREGNANCY

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to study the pharmacokinetics of ceftazidim e at different stages of pregnancy and in the nonpregnant state to det ermine whether glomerular filtration rate is altered and whether tubul ar secretions occurs. STUDY DESIGN: Twelve pregnant women with asympto matic bacteruria were given a bolus dose of 400 mg of ceftazidime foll owed by a constant infusion for 4 hours. Inulin was infused simultaneo usly to determine glomerular filtration rate. Blood samples were drawn every 30 minutes. Urine was collected immediately after the bolus dos e and then every hour. The same study procedure was then repeated twic e: 2 weeks before the expected delivery and after termination of breas t-feeding. RESULTS: At term clearance values were raised by 50% to 100 % compared with the values found in the postpartum period. At all obse rvation points a close correlation between inulin and ceftazidime clea rance values were found. CONCLUSION: The results strongly indicate tha t ceftazidime is excreted exclusively by glomerular filtration with no tubular reabsorbtion. During pregnancy the excretion pattern is unalt ered, but renal elimination is increased.