ENTERIC ABSORPTION OF CIPROFLOXACIN DURING TUBE-FEEDING IN THE CRITICALLY ILL

To determine the pharmacokinetic properties of ciprofloxacin in the cr itically ill, we studied seven mechanically ventilated patients with p neumonia during enteral feedings. Subjects received ciprofloxacin 750 mg every 12 h via nasogastric tube and serial serum drug concentration s were measured after the first and fourth dose. After the initial dos e, the maximum serum concentration ranged from 1.24 - 3.06 mg/L, and t he area under the time curve from 0 - 12 h ranged from 3.2 - 19.65 mg. h/L. Similar levels were noted after dose four. Gastrointestinal absor ption of ciprofloxacin in tube fed critically ill patients was decreas ed, but well above MIC values for many pathogenic bacteria.