Pharmacokinetics of fluconazole in young infants

Intravenous fluconazole is used in the treatment of fungal infections in in fants. Little is known, however, about the pharmacokinetics of fluconazole after oral administration in premature infants. Oral fluconazole was admini stered at a dose of 6 mg/kg. The peak serum concentration (C-max), area und er the serum concentration-time curve (AUC), and apparent clearance ranged from 6.0-13.5 mu g/ml, 340-636 mu g.h/ml, and 0.16-0.29 ml/min/kg, respecti vely. The C-max and AUC were comparable after oral and intravenous doses of fluconazole. Oral fluconazole was well absorbed and tolerated. The use of oral fluconazole may offer an important alternative to the intravenous ther apy; it may improve patient convenience, reduce the need for venous access and decrease complications and the cost of hearth care.