THE PHARMACOKINETICS OF CEFODIZIME IN CHILDREN

The single-dose pharmacokinetics of cefodizime were studied in ten hospitalized children aged between two and 15 years and weighing 12.5–26.2 kg. Six subjects received the drug (25 mg/kg) im and four received it iv. Cefodizime concentrations in blood and urine (iv dosage only) sampled up to 12 h post dose were measured by microbiological assay and pharmacokinetic parameters were derived on the basis of a two-compartment open model. Peak serum concentrations were 131±22.7 mg/l (15 min post iv dose) and 54.8±17.8 mg/l (60 min post im dose). Mean T½β were 1.9±0.13 h (iv) and 1.88±0.25 h (im). Mean AUCs were 217.2±37.9 mg.h/l (iv) and 150.85 ± 22.98 mg.h/l (im). Mean volumes of distribution were 7.6±2.51 (iv) and 7.9±1.41 (im). Twelve hours after the iv administration the cumulative urinary excretion was 7887% of the dose. The pharmaookinetic behaviour of cefodizime in children is thus similar to that of other compounds in this class. © 1990 The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.