title: Acyclovir pharmacokinetics in a patient on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.
abstract: Acyclovir is an effective agent for the treatment of herpes virus infections, however, the pharmacokinetics of the drug are altered in renal failure. We studied this drug in a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patient who was immunocompromised and had cutaneous herpes infection. The elimination half-life (17.1 hours) was similar to that reported for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, while the volume of the central compartment (29.6 L/1.73 m2), the steady state volume of distribution (68.1 L/1.73 m2), and the total body clearance (48.3 mL/min/1.73 m2) were greater. The mean CAPD clearance was only 4.4 mL/min, with less than 10% of an administered dose being recovered in the 24-hour dialysate. Further studies are needed to establish a dosing regimen for CAPD patients.
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D000368:Aged; D006207:Half-Life; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D010531:Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory
chemical_list: D000212:Acyclovir