[Studies on panipenem/betamipron in the pediatric field]

Pharmacokinetic and clinical evaluations of panipenem/betamipron (PAPM/BP) were carried out in pediatric patients. The following results were obtained: 1. Upon 30-minute intravenous drip infusion at a dose of 20 mg/kg, plasma concentrations of PAPM/BP reached their peaks at the end of drip infusion with average values of 62.94/47.32 micrograms/ml, and their plasma half-lives were 1.00/0.51 hour in the beta-phase. Upon 30-minute intravenous drip infusion at a dose of 10 mg/kg, peak plasma concentrations were 32.10/23.76 micrograms/ml and plasma half-lives were 0.93/0.59 hour. 2. The urinary excretion rates of PAPM/BP after 30-minute intravenous infusion at doses of 20 and 10 mg/kg were 25.09/81.04% and 32.14/84.66%, respectively. 3. PAPM/BP was administered to 18 cases (upper and lower respiratory tract infections, pneumonia and urinary tract infections) at daily doses of 30-88.9 mg/kg/day divided into 3 dosages using 30-minute intravenous drip infusion. Clinical responses were "excellent" in 12 patients, "good" in 5, and "poor" in 1, hence an efficacy rate of 94.4% was obtained. 4. Bacteria identified from various diseases involved 11 strains of 6 species, and the eradication rate was 90.9%. 5. No side effect was recognized in any patient. Laboratory test results showed abnormalities in including 1 case with leukopenia, and in 2 cases with elevation of GOT and GPT.