Continuous infusion ceftazidime in intensive care: a randomized controlled trial.
We randomized 18 critically ill patients to receive ceftazidime 6 g/day by continuous infusion or bolus dosing (2 g 8 hourly), each with a loading dose of 12 mg/kg ceftazidime. During the first 8 h, plasma ceftazidime concentration fell below 40 mg/L in only one patient (trough 38 mg/L) from the infusion group, compared with eight from the bolus group (2-33 mg/L) for periods ranging from 73 to 369 min. Thereafter all infusion patients remained above 40 mg/L for 40 h of study versus 20-30% of bolus patients. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of ceftazidime suggest that continuous infusions should be clinically investigated in outcome studies.
Lipman
J
J
Royal Brisbane Hospital, Division of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. jlipman@gasbone.herston.uq.edu.au
Gomersall
C D
CD
Gin
T
T
Joynt
G M
GM
Young
R J
RJ
D000328:Adult; D002442:Ceftazidime / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D003422:Critical Care; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008875:Middle Aged
D002511:Cephalosporins; D002442:Ceftazidime