[Pharmacokinetics of ceftazidime in healthy and renal failure subjects]

Ceftazidime is poorly bound to plasma proteins, is not metabolized and is excreted mostly by glomerular filtration. Its elimination half-life is about 1.5-2 hours, and their kinetics are modified by renal impairment. The dosage recommended in adult is 1 to 2 g 8-hourly, to be adjusted to the needs of individual cases. The interval between doses must be extended to 12 hours in patients with mild renal impairment and to 36-48 hours in those with severe renal failure. A supplementary dose of ceftazidime is required at the end of each haemodialysis session. In patients under chronic peritoneal dialysis, the loading dose (10 mg/kg) is followed by continuous administration of 5 mg/kg into each dialysis cavity.