INFLUENCE OF DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT FACTORS IN THE POPULATION PHARMACOKINETICS OF GENTAMICIN

Using the NONMEM program, the population kinetics of gentamicin were r etrospectively studied in a series of 51 patients with different patho logies undergoing treatment (single or three daily doses) with gentami cin whose serum gentamicin levels were being monitored. Renal function , the type of treatment and cancer proved to be the covariates which a ffected drug clearance, while patient weight was found to govern the d istribution volume. The distribution coefficient of gentamicin in the patients was 0.37 litres/kg, justifying gentamicin doses higher than t hose used conventionally. The optimized population model allowed us to simulate drug serum levels at 8 and 12 h, as well as the area under t he curve of gentamicin and its variability in patients with high distr ibution volumes when dosage regimens based on a single daily dose admi nistration are implemented.