Pharmacokinetics of cibenzoline in patients with renal impairment

Pharmacokinetic values of cibenzoline, a new, investigational, antiarrhythmic drug, were determined in 13 patients with varying degree of renal impairment, creatinine clearance range between 5 and 53 mL/min. Cibenzoline plasma levels were measured after direct intravenous injection of one single 1 mg/kg dose. The apparent volume of distribution of the drug (276 1) was similar to that reported in healthy subjects. Total body clearance decreased with creatinine clearance, and there was a close correlation between cibenzoline renal clearance and creatinine clearance (r = 0.956; P less than 0.001). Plasma elimination half-life was prolonged, with values ranging from 7:4 to 23.6 hours. This study showed that cibenzoline total body clearance correlated with the degree of renal impairment, and it is suggested that in patients with chronic renal failure dosage should be adjusted according to creatinine clearance values.