Pharmacokinetic study of cefaclor in chronic maxillary sinusitis

The pharmacokinetics of the maxillary sinus fluid were studied in 42 patients (26 males and 16 females), suffering from chronic maxillary sinusitis, after oral administration of 0.5g or 1g cefaclor. A thin plastic catheter, for sinus secretion sampling, was inserted in the sinus cavity and remained in place throughout the study. Sinus fluid levels of cefaclor (0.5g), measured by agar and well-diffusion microbiological method, ranged between 0.17-0.19, 0.28-0.42, 0.18-0.22 and 0.12-0.16 microgram/ml at 2, 4, 6 and 8 hour intervals respectively. Levels ranging between 0.15-0.26, 0.37-0.90, 0.23-0.27 and 0.16-0.19 microgram/ml were found after the administration of 1g cefaclor at the same time intervals respectively. Higher levels were found in purulent nasal material than in cystic fluid aspirates.