Pharmacokinetics of gentamicin after i.v. infusion or iv bolus

A cross-over randomized comparative study was undertaken in ten healthy subjects to study the pharmacokinetics of 80 mg of gentamicin given as a bolus iv injection or as an infusion over 15 min using a commercially available 100 ml solution. Mean peak values at the end of the two modes of injection were respectively: 17.8 and 7.8 mg/l (P less than or equal to 0.002, Wilcoxon ranked pairs test). Mean peak values extrapolated at t = 0 for each volunteer were respectively 4.2 and 3.8 mg/l (not statistically different). Mean serum values 1 h after administration were respectively 4.2 and 3.7 mg/l (not statistically different). Mean trough values after 8 h were: 0.45 and 0.44 mg/l. Mean elimination half-lives were 139 and 142 min (P greater than 0.1).