CLINICAL PHARMACOKINETICS OF CONTINUOUS INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION OFPENICILLINS

Theoretically, continuous intravenous administration of beta-lactam an tibiotics has advantages over intermittent administration because of t he close relationship between efficacy and the time the plasma concent ration remains above the minimal inhibitory concentration that has bee n found in vitro. The aim of the present study was to establish the ph armacokinetic parameters of benzylpenicillin and cloxacillin administr ation in patients receiving high-dose benzylpenicillin or cloxacillin therapy by continuous infusion. A major part of the interindividual va riation in the plasma concentrations at steady-state was attributable to variation in renal function, as estimated by the creatinine clearan ce. On the basis of these results, a nomogram was constructed that can be used to determine on an individualized basis the total daily dose of benzylpenicillin or cloxacillin necessary for each patient to obtai n therapeutic plasma concentrations.