Pharmacokinetics of Indomethacin in the Neonate

Abstract

To identify factors affecting the efficacy of indomethacin in closing symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), we studied the pharmacokinetics of intravenous indomethacin, 0.2 mg per kilogram of body weight, in 35 premature infants with symptomatic PDA. Most infants responded to indomethacin with ductus constriction. Indomethacin infusions that were ineffective (seven doses in six patients) were associated with significantly faster clearance, a shorter halflife, and lower plasma levels (P<0.05).