[Concentration of cefotiam in the cerebrospinal fluid]

Cefotiam of 1 to 2 g was intravenously given during 15 to 60 minutes in 10 cases, and blood levels and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels were studied. Following the drip infusion of cefotiam, maximum blood levels of 25.2 to 305 micrograms per ml was an average of 101.2 micrograms per ml were achieved at 15 to 60 minutes in 9 cases. Half life of cefotiam in serum was from 20 to 50 minutes, and mean time was 39.4 minutes. In contrast, maximum CSF levels of cefotiam were ranged 1.4 to 17.2 micrograms per ml and mean value was 5.7 micrograms per ml in 8 cases. The ratios of CSF levels to blood levels were calculated from 1.7 to 6.6% with an average of 4.6%. The CSF levels of cefotiam showed long delay and long decay. The period between the drip infusion and peak levels of cefotiam in CSF showed 60 to 420 minutes and mean time was 194 minutes. Half life varied between 45 and 270 minutes with an average of 178 minutes. No side effects were found in all cases.