Do intensive care patients need an individualized dosing regimen for levofloxacin?
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: In general, the pharmacokinetics (PK) of antibiotics in intensive care unit (ICU) patients are known to differ from healthy subjects. These differences can pose challenges in developing appropriate dosing guidelines. The primary objective of this report was to characterize the disposition of levofloxacin in critically ill patients and to assess any relationships between patient covariates and the PK parameters.
METHODS: 20 patients in the ICU were given levofloxacin, 500 mg, as an i.v. infusion for a half hour. Plasma samples were taken until 24 hours and assayed using HPLC. The concentration-time data were analyzed using population analysis with NONMEM.
RESULTS: The data were described using a 2-compartment model. Creatinine clearance was determined to be a statistically significant predictor of variability in total levofloxacin clearance. For patients with higher levofloxacin clearance, the resulting efficacy for different strains of bacteria (expressed as free AUC/MIC ratios) suggested that for less sensitive pathogens, a dosage adjustment may be needed.
CONCLUSION: A model describing the pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin in critically ill patients was developed. It was determined that creatinine clearance has a significant role in the disposition of levofloxacin. This may have significant implications in the clinical setting for identifying optimal dosage regimens for ICU patients.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a clinical trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 20 participants or records.
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