Pharmacokinetics of Ticarcillin in Patients with Abnormal Renal Function

Abstract

The pharmacokinetics of ticarcillin were determined in patients with abnormal renal function. In individuals with rates of creatinine clearance of >60 ml per min, the half-life (± standard deviation) of ticarcillin was 71 ± 6 min after intravenous administration. In patients with rates of creatinine clearance of 30–60 ml per min, 10–30 ml per min, and < 10 ml per min, ticarcillin had a half-life of 3.0 ± 0.6 hr, 8.5 ± 2.1 hr, and 14.8 ± 3.7 hr, respectively. Urinary concentrations of ticarcillin after intravenous administration were adequate at all levels of renal function. Ticarcillin was removed by hemodialysis with a reduction in half-life to 3.4 ± 0.8 hr, but peritoneal dialysis was minimally effective in removing the drug. A program for the use of ticarcillin in patients with renal insufficiency was outlined.