Pharmacokinetics of edrophonium in anephric and renal transplant patients

The pharmacokinetics of edrophonium were determined in patients anaesthetized with nitrous oxide and halothane undergoing kidney transplant nephrectomy (n=6) or transplantation of a live related donor kidney (n = 6). Serum concentrations of edrophonium were assayed by high pressure liquid chromatography and pharmacokinetic variables computed using non-compartmental analysis. Patients undergoing transplant nephrectomy had a significant increase in elimination half-life and a significant decrease (67%) in serum clearance when compared with kidney transplant recipients or patients with normal renal function. Pharmacokinetic indices for edrophonium in patients receiving a kidney transplant did not differ from those in patients with normal renal function. We conclude that absence of renal function decrease excretion of edrophonium to an extent similar to that of other acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, neostigmine and pyridostigmine.