PHARMACOKINETICS OF IMIPENEM CILASTATIN IN NEUTROPENIC PATIENTS WITH HEMATOLOGICAL MALIGNANCIES

The pharmacokinetics of imipenem/cilastatin were studied in febrile neutropenic patients with haematological malignancies. The peak plasma concentrations (36·4±4·96 mg/l), plasma half-life (60 min), volume of distribution (0·28 ±0·02 l/kg) and plasma clearance (3·23±0·38 ml/min/kg) were comparable with those in normal healthy volunteers suggesting that the drug handling is not appreciably altered in this group of patients. The administration of 12·5 mg/kg (max 1 g), 6-hourly achieved levels that were up to 3·5 times MICs of most relevant bacteria. The drug therefore has a potential use as empirical monotherapy in febrile neutropenic patients. © 1990 by The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.