Influence of therapeutic plasmapheresis on elimination of ceftiaxone

To study the plasma elimination rate of ceftriaxone given to patients undergoing plasmapheresis, a single 2-g intravenous dose of ceftriaxone was given to 11 patients who underwent plasmapheresis 3 h (early group) or 15 h (late group) later. Even though the early patient group had twofold more ceftriaxone removed than the late group, all individual patients had 24-h ceftriaxone levels of 9 micrograms/ml or higher. We conclude that patients undergoing plasmapheresis lasting 150 min or less may safely be treated with 2 g of ceftriaxone once daily without risking periods of subtherapeutic plasma ceftriaxone levels.