Enhancement of Penicillin Blood Levels Following Oral Administration of Caronamide

Abstract
9 patients with subacute bacterial endocarditis receiving conjoint intraven. penicillin-heparin therapy were given caronamide orally for 2-19 days in 2-3 g. dosages every 4 hrs., day and night at least 12 hrs. before blood was drawn for penicillin assay. Penicillin blood levels were always enhanced when 3 g. was used every 4 hrs. The min. increase over control levels was 2-fold, the max. 7-fold. Eight patients had mild renal disturbance. The total daily intraven. dose of penicillin did not influence the caronamide effect. Side-effects were transitory and insignificant. A reducing subst. was found in the urines of the caronamide-treated patients.