Pharmacokinetic comparison of two models of endocarditis prophylaxis with amoxycillin.
From studies on prophylaxis against experimental streptococcal endocarditis using amoxycillin in a single dose, it has been deduced that serum concentrations above 0.12 mg/l should be maintained for at least 10 h after antibiotic administration. Since concentrations above this level are reported to occur following an oral dose of 3 g of amoxycillin, this doses for prophylaxis has become widely accepted in USA and the UK, and presently also in Sweden. Nevertheless, in individuals who cannot tolerate a high single dose of amoxycillin, there is need for an alternative dosage regimen. In the present study, we have compared the pharmacokinetics in 12 healthy volunteers, of a single dose of 3 g of amoxycillin with those of 1 g as single dose or combined with 1 g of probenecid. The combination resulted in an AUC twice as large as that achieved after 1 g of amoxycillin, and was slightly, but not significantly, larger than that after 3 g. However, amoxycillin concentrations above 0.12 mg/l were sustained for almost 14 h with the combination as compared to 10.4 hours following 3 g of amoxycillin only (p less than 0.001). Thus, the combination should be a convenient alternative in patients unable to tolerate a higher oral dose of amoxycillin, and in situations when an antibacterial effect of longer duration is desired.
Paulsen
O
O
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Lund, Sweden.
Höglund
P
P
Schalén
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D011339:Probenecid / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*
D004338:Drug Combinations; D000658:Amoxicillin; D011339:Probenecid