title: Pharmacokinetics and cerebrospinal fluid bactericidal activity of ceftriaxone in the treatment of pediatric patients with bacterial meningitis.
abstract: Single-dose pharmacokinetics of ceftriaxone were determined in 19 patients with proven bacterial meningitis. The dosage was 50 mg of ceftriaxone per kg. The plasma concentration time curve declined in a biexponential manner. The mean peak plasma concentration was 207 micrograms/ml, and the elimination half-life was 4 h. In 12 patients, multiple-dose pharmacokinetics were determined after a loading dose of 75 mg of ceftriaxone per kg, followed by 50-mg/kg doses every 8 h in 5 patients or every 12 h in 7 patients. The mean peak plasma concentration was 230 micrograms/ml after the first dose and 263 micrograms/ml after the last dose. Of 12 patients, 5 had trough values that were larger after multiple doses than after a single dose. Mean penetration of ceftriaxone into cerebrospinal fluid was 3.1%. The median cerebrospinal fluid bactericidal titer against the patients pathogens was greater than 1:1,024 and less than 1:2,048. The drug was well tolerated without adverse effects.
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002443:Ceftriaxone; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008583:Meningitis, Haemophilus / Q000188:drug therapy; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000188:drug therapy; D008586:Meningitis, Pneumococcal / Q000188:drug therapy; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests
chemical_list: D002443:Ceftriaxone; D002439:Cefotaxime