PHARMACOKINETICS OF INTRAVENOUS PIPERACILLIN IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING CHRONIC-HEMODIALYSIS

The pharmacokinetic properties of piperacillin, a piperazine derivative of ampicillin, were determined in seven patients with creatinine clearances less than 7 ml/min who were undergoing chronic, intermittent hemodialysis. A two-compartment linear model was used to analyze the data. Mean elimination half-life was 1.26 ± 0.1 h; the mean elimination constant was 0.95 ± 0.08 h -1; the mean volume of distribution was 0.16 ± 0.02 liters/kg of body weight; and the mean clearance was 0.09 ± 0.01 liters/h per kg of body weight. Mean elimination half-life while off dialysis was 2.1 h.