Pharmacokinetic characteristics of caspofungin in two pediatric liver transplant patients

The pharmacokinetic characteristics of the antifungal drug caspofungin have not been reported in children.

The aim of this study was to report limited caspofungin pharmacokinetic data for pediatric liver transplant patients.

Two pediatric liver transplant patients, aged 5 years (not dialyzed) and 9 months (dialyzed), were assessed. Using a novel, validated, liquid-phase extraction with high-performance liquid chromatography, we measured plasma caspofungin concentrations from blood samples obtained within a 24-hour period after the patients were given 1 mg/kg IV of caspofungin.

Noncompartmental analysis for the nondialyzed patient showed an elimination half-life of 10.7 hours, a volume of distribution of 0.11 L/kg, and a systemic clearance of 0.12 mL/min/kg. Liver enzyme activities increased briefly; the increase may have been due to concomitant graft rejection. For the dialyzed patient, the half-life was 11.7 hours, with an adjusted volume of distribution of 0.18 L/kg and a systemic clearance of 0.24 mL/min/kg. No clinically relevant treatment-related adverse events were noted.

Pharmacokinetic data found in the 2 patients in this study are similar to those reported in adults. Until more thorough data are published, caspofungin 1 mg/kg may be considered a reasonable, tolerable dose for children.