DOSE OF GENTAMICIN IN PATIENTS WITH NORMAL RENAL FUNCTION AND RENAL IMPAIRMENT

Serum levels of gentamicin have been determined in normal subjects and in patients with renal impairment after 80 mg. intramuscularly. The average peak serum level obtained was 7.0 μg./ml., which is independent of renal function, assessed by endogenous creatinine clearance. In the presence of normal renal function there was a rapid fall in the serum level to approximately 1 μg./ml. at eight hours, and it is advised that gentamicin be given at eight-hourly intervals. The glomerular filtration rate (endogenous creatinine clearance) and the serum half-life of gentamicin have been correlated in 18 subjects. This has enabled the formulation of a dose schedule in patients with impaired renal function based on the glomerular filtration rate. It is suggested that in renal failure the interval between doses should be lengthened, and an approximate scheme of dosage is presented. © 1968, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.