Half-life of cephaloridine in dogs with reduced renal function

Various degrees of renal insufficiency were produced in 9 dogs by nephrectomy, or segmental ligation of the branches of the renal artery, or both. The serum half-life of cephaloridine, measured after a single intramuscular injection, increased progressively as renal function decreased. In dogs with 85% reduction in renal mass, serum half-life was approximately 3 times that of control dogs. To prevent accumulation of cephaloridine in dogs with renal dysfunction, a modified dose schedule was established on the basis of these experimental results.