N‐Acetylprocainamide pharmacokinetics in functionally anephric patients before and after perturbation by hemodialysis

Abstract

NAPA pharmacokinetics were studied in 6 functionally anephric patients. Distribution and nonrenal elimination of this drug were found to be the same as in individuals with normal renal function but renal clearance was reduced, resulting in a mean elimination t½ of 41.9 hr (6.2 hr in normal subjects). Renal clearance of NAPA correlated well with Cl_Cr. Dialysis removed NAPA from both red blood cells and plasma and increased ClTapproximately fourfold. Dialysis itself resulted in a 77% reduction in Cl_s that limited the total amount of NAPA removed by this procedure. This reduction in Cl_s was sustained for at least 3 hr after dialysis and attenuated rebound in plasma NAPA concentrations.