Pharmacokinetics and plasma steady state levels of doxycycline in undernutrition

1 The kinetics of doxycycline were studied in well nourished and undernourished male subjects. 2 The area under the curve after an intravenous dose was reduced and total body clearance was significantly elevated with a shorter/beta-phase half life of the drug in undernourished subjects. 3 The percentage of total drug excreted in urine in 48 h and renal clearance of the drug were similar in both groups. 4 Plasma protein binding was significantly reduced and gamma-glutamyltransferase levels tended to be higher in the undernourished as compared to normals. 5 Increased total body clearance of the drug appeared therefore to be due to higher metabolism of drug in undernourished subjects. This increased metabolism is probably due to lower protein binding of the drug and/or induction of drug metabolism. 6 Plasma Cmin concentrations of doxycycline determined at steady state were lower in undernourished subjects. However, they were within the therapeutic range. 7 The observed alterations in kinetics of doxycycline therefore do not warrant a change in dosage regimen in undernourished subjects.