Pharmacokinetics of ticarcillin/clavulanate in severely burned patients

A pharmacokinetic trial with ticarcillin/clavulanate was undertaken in patients with severe burns. Timentin 5.2 g (ticarcillin 5 g + clavulanate 200 mg) was administered by iv infusion over 20 min, two or three times daily. Fifteen patients with varying amounts of total body surface (TBS) burned could be evaluated for pharmacokinetic calculations (group A, greater than 20% TBS, n = 7; group B, less than 10% TBS, n = 8). Both groups presented similar pharmacokinetic behaviour. Compared with healthy volunteers, the volume of distribution for both ticarcillin and clavulanate was increased 2.5 times. For ticarcillin the mean elimination half-lives in serum were 95.1 (A) and 86.1 min. (B), respectively; for clavulanate, the half-lives were 144.0 (A) and 132.1 min (B), respectively. The 0-8-h urine recovery of ticarcillin was 84% (A) and 83% (B), and for clavulanate it was 86% (A) and 88% (B) of the administered dose. As a consequence of the increased distribution volumes and the increased AUC's in severely burned patients the highest recommended dose of ticarcillin/clavulanate appears suitable.