Pharmacokinetics of mezlocillin in patients with hepatobiliary dysfunction

The pharmacokinetics of mezlocillin were investigated in 26 patients with alcoholic liver disease. Serum concentrations of mezlocillin were measured following intravenous administration of 3 g doses over 30 min. The mean peak serum concentration (+/- standard deviation) of mezlocillin at the end of infusion was 138.8 +/- 55.7 mg/l and the mean terminal half-life (T 1/2 beta) was 2.10 +/- 0.9 h. The 24 h urinary recovery of mezlocillin was 35.4 +/- 12.4% of the administered dose. Serum clearance was found to be inversely correlated with alkaline phosphatase and with total bilirubin. The T 1/2 beta was related to the following clinical measurements: age, SGOT and prothrombin time. This relationship suggests it may be prudent to adjust the dosage and the dosage interval of mezlocillin in patients with hepatobiliary dysfunction.