title: Pharmacokinetics of amoxycillin in elderly in-patients.
abstract: The pharmacokinetics of amoxycillin (500 mg) given by intravenous injection and as two oral formulations on three consecutive days were investigated in eight frail elderly in-patients. Marked interindividual variation was found in all kinetic parameters after intravenous injection. The area under the curve (AUC) ranged from 32 to 155 mg.l-1.h and the distribution volume ranged from 13 to 37.1. The mean plasma clearance was 109 ml/min (range 53 to 255 ml/min). Elimination half-life ranged from 1.6 to 3.0 h (mean 2.4 h). The absolute bioavailability after oral administration was highly variable and ranged from 24 to 86% (mean 55%). The bioavailability of the two formulations was not significantly different. The performance of a pharmacokinetic study in these patients was very difficult, regarding their inability to tolerate an intravenous infusion, incontinence, disruption of everyday routine and problems with drinking the required volume of water.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Maasland Hospital, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Janknegt
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boogaard-Van den Born
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Hameleers
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Hooymans
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rang
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Smits
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Willems-Thissen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D001682:Biological Availability; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000658:Amoxicillin