[Monitoring treatment with amikacin for urinary tract infections]

The studies were aimed at the determining the serum amikacin levels during the treatment of urinary tract infection as an attempt to monitor this treatment. The study involved 51 patients. Amikacin profile following a single dose of 500 mg i.m. was studied in group 1 (n = 7) while the administration of 2 daily doses of 500 mg for 7 days was investigated in group 2 (24 patients with normal renal functioning). Group 3 (10 patients with renal failure) was given the same amikacin doses for 5 days. Amikacin dosage was modified with the own computer program in group 4. Both lower and peak amikacin serum levels in the groups 1, 2 and 3 ranged markedly from subtherapeutical to toxic. Blood urea and creatinine increased significantly in groups 2 and 3. In group 4 amikacin peak level exceeded in therapeutical value only in out patient, and no an increase in blood creatinine or urea was noted during a 5-day therapy.