PHARMACOKINETICS OF TEICOPLANIN IN PEDIATRIC-PATIENTS

The pharmacokinetics of teicoplanin have been studied in 13 pediatric male patients from 2 to 12 years of age. Patients were given a single 3-mg/kg intravenous dose of teicoplanin for prophylaxis. Blood and urine samples were collected for 8 days after administration, and teicoplanin levels were determined by microbiological assay. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated from a three-compartment open pharmacokinetic model and from a noncompartmental analysis. Levels in plasma 1 h after the administration averaged 14.8 mg/liter. The half-lives of the two distribution phases were 1.3 and 9.7 h. The half-life of the terminal phase averaged 57.9 h, with similar estimates obtained from the noncompartmental analysis and from data from urine. The volume of distribution of the central compartment was 0.15 liter/kg, whereas the volumes of distribution at steady state and during the elimination phase were 0.80 and 1.25 liters/kg. The total teicoplanin clearance averaged 14.8 ml/h per kg, with renal clearance accounting for about 60% of the total. The average cumulative recovery of teicoplanin in urine over 8 days was 59% of the dose, similar to the value obtained in adult volunteers. There was no significant linear correlation between elimination half-life and age. Preliminary data after repeated administration support the reliability of the model used and the validity of the mean estimated parameters. There were no local or systemic adverse reactions to teicoplanin.