title: Levofloxacin pharmacokinetics in children.
abstract: Levofloxacin is a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic with activity against many pathogens that cause bacterial infections in children, including penicillin-resistant pneumococci. To provide dosing guidance for children, 3 single-dose, multicenter pharmacokinetic studies were conducted in 85 children in 5 age groups: 6 months to <2 years, 2 to <5 years, 5 to <10 years, 10 to <12 years, and 12 to 16 years. Each child received a single 7-mg/kg dose of levofloxacin (not to exceed 500 mg) intravenously or orally. Plasma and urine samples were collected through 24 hours after dose. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated and compared among the 5 age groups and to previously collected adult data. Levofloxacin absorption (as indicated by C(max) and t(max)) and distribution in children are not age dependent and are comparable to those in adults. Levofloxacin elimination (reflected by t1/2 and clearance), however, is age dependent. Children younger than 5 years of age clear levofloxacin nearly twice as fast (intravenous dose, 0.32+/-0.08 L/h/kg; oral dose, 0.28+/-0.05 L/h/kg) as adults and, as a result, have the total systemic exposure (area under the plasma drug concentration-time curve) approximately one half that of adults. The levofloxacin area under the plasma drug concentration-time curve (dose normalized) in children receiving a single dose of the oral liquid formulation is comparable to that in children receiving the intravenous formulation. To provide compatible levofloxacin exposures associated with clinical effectiveness and safety in adults, children > or =5 years need a daily dose of 10 mg/kg, whereas children 6 months to <5 years should receive 10 mg/kg every 12 hours.
authors.affiliation: Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, LLC, 920 Route 202 South, PO Box 300, Raritan, NJ 08869-0602, USA.
authors.forename: Shuchean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chien
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Wells
authors.forename: Jeffrey L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Blumer
authors.forename: Gregory L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Kearns
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Bradley
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bocchini
authors.forename: Jaya
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Natarajan
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maldonado
authors.forename: Gary J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Noel
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001682:Biological Availability; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007297:Inpatients; D064704:Levofloxacin; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D064704:Levofloxacin; D015242:Ofloxacin