Pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin during continuous renalreplacement therapy in critically ill patients

The pharmacokinetics of intravenously administered levofloxacin and ciprofl oxacin were studied in intensive care unit patients during continuous venov enous hemofiltration (CVVH; four patients received levofloxacin, and five r eceived ciprofloxacin) or hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF; six patients received levofloxacin, and five received ciprofloxacin). Levofloxacin clearance was substantially increased during both CVVH and CVVHDF, while ciprofloxacin cl earance was affected less. The results of this study suggest that doses of levofloxacin of 250 mg/day and ciprofloxacin of 400 mg/day are sufficient t o maintain effective drug concentrations in the plasma of patients undergoi ng CVVH or CVVHDF.