Study of the pharmacokinetics of cefpirome sulphate in the elderly

Objective: TO determine the appropriate method of administration of the cep hem antibiotic cefpirome sulphate in elderly patients. Method: We studied cefpirome's pharmacokinetics in patients with urinary tr act infections. Patients received cefpirome sulphate 0.5 g by intravenous d rip infusion over 30 mins. Results: Patients with a creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) of SO ml/min had a n AUC of 96.7 mu g 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 mu g.h/ml and a T-1/2 of 3.45 h and those wi th Ccr of < 40 ml/min had an AUC of 152 mu g.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 sh ould be administered at an Initial dose of 0.5 g.