Imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam pharmacokinetics in critically ill patients with augmented renal clearance

Andrew J Fratoni1, John W Mah2, David P Nicolau1

  • 1Center for Anti-Infective Research and Development, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT 06102, USA.

Abstract

Insights

Critically-ill patients with augmented renal clearance (ARC) receiving imipenem/relebactam achieved therapeutic drug concentrations. Standard dosing regimens are effective for treating infections in these patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Imipenem and relebactam are primarily eliminated by glomerular filtration.
  • Augmented renal clearance (ARC) is prevalent in critically-ill sepsis patients, raising concerns about sub-therapeutic antibiotic levels.
  • This study investigates the pharmacokinetics of imipenem/relebactam in critically-ill patients with ARC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile of imipenem/relebactam in critically-ill patients with augmented renal clearance.
  • To determine if standard dosing regimens achieve adequate drug exposure in patients with ARC.
  • To assess the probability of target attainment (PTA) for imipenem and relebactam.

Main Methods:

  • Eight critically-ill patients with ARC (CLCR ≥ 130 mL/min) received a single 1.25g dose of imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam.
  • Blood samples were collected for 6 hours to determine drug concentrations.
  • Population pharmacokinetic modeling and Monte Carlo simulations were used to assess PTA.

Main Results:

  • The population pharmacokinetic model with two compartments best described the data for both imipenem and relebactam.
  • The mean clearance (CL) for imipenem was 17.31 ± 5.76 L/h and for relebactam was 11.51 ± 4.79 L/h.
  • The standard 1.25g dose every 6 hours achieved 100% and 93% PTA at MICs of 1 and 2 mg/L, respectively.

Conclusions:

  • Despite enhanced clearance in patients with ARC, the standard dosing regimen of imipenem/relebactam is predicted to achieve optimal drug exposure.
  • The approved dosing regimen is likely sufficient to treat most susceptible pathogens in critically-ill patients with ARC.
  • This suggests that current dosing recommendations are appropriate for this patient population.

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