Related Experiment Videos

Kinetic parameters of amikacin in cystic fibrosis children

B Grenier1, E Autret, S Marchand

  • 1Centre de Pédiatrie, CHRU, Tours.

Infection
|July 1, 1987
PubMed

Insights

This study found that amikacin plasma pharmacokinetics are similar in children with and without cystic fibrosis (CF). However, amikacin sputum concentrations in CF patients did not reach levels effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, suggesting a need for optimized dosing regimens.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology and Therapeutics
  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder affecting multiple organs, particularly the lungs, leading to chronic infections.
  • Amikacin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, is used to treat bacterial infections, including those caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in CF patients.
  • Understanding amikacin pharmacokinetics and achieving therapeutic concentrations in CF patients is crucial for effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and compare the plasma pharmacokinetics of amikacin in pediatric patients with and without cystic fibrosis.
  • To assess amikacin concentrations in the sputum of CF children and evaluate their effectiveness against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
  • To determine an optimal intravenous dosage regimen for amikacin in CF pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

  • Conducted kinetic studies in 9 CF children (3-15 years) and 4 non-CF children (1-12 years).
  • Administered amikacin intravenously (5-12.5 mg/kg) over 0.5-1.0 hour, 3-4 times daily.
  • Measured amikacin plasma concentrations in all children and sputum concentrations in CF patients using fluorescent polarization (TDX Abbott).

Main Results:

  • Plasma pharmacokinetic parameters (t1/2, Vd, clearance) did not significantly differ between CF and non-CF children.
  • Amikacin dosage did not affect pharmacokinetic parameters; peak plasma concentrations ranged from 19 to 43.8 mg/l.
  • Sputum amikacin levels in CF children consistently remained below the average Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 4 mg/l for Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Conclusions:

  • Amikacin exhibits similar plasma pharmacokinetics in pediatric CF and non-CF populations.
  • Achieving effective amikacin concentrations in the sputum of CF patients is challenging with standard dosing.
  • An optimized intravenous dosage regimen of 7.5-8 mg/kg or 225-240 mg/m2, administered over 1 hour thrice daily, is recommended for CF children.

Related Concept Videos