Pharmacokinetics of oral cefatrizine in patients with impaired renal function

The pharmacokinetics of cefatrizine was studied in 15 patients with various degrees of renal impairment, after single oral administration of 500 mg. Cefatrizine elimination was reduced in parallel to renal function, as indicated by the significant correlations between apparent clearance (Cl/F) and creatinine clearance (Clcr), and between renal clearance (Clr) and creatinine clearance (Clcr). In patients with totally impaired renal function, the residual clearance (Cl/F) was 63 ml.min-1 per 1.73 m2. Comparisons with previously published data indicate that the apparent volume of distribution (V/F) of cefatrizine was lower in patients with impaired renal function than in young healthy volunteers, leading to increased peak concentrations (Cmax), but there was no relationship between V/F and Clcr. In patients with totally impaired renal function, the upper limit of cefatrizine elimination half-life was estimated to 5.5 h. The clinical significance of pharmacokinetic modifications observed in renal disease patients may only be realized through integration of pharmacodynamic characteristics of cefatrizine. The observed increase in Cmax and the lengthening of t1/2 could suggest a reduction of dosing frequency in patients with severe renal impairment.