Pharmacokinetics of imipenem in healthy volunteers following administration by 2 h or 0.5 h infusion.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to demonstrate the t > MIC of 0.5 and 1 g of imipenem when administered by 2 h infusion every 6 h compared with 0.5 g of imipenem when administered by 0.5 h infusion every 6 h.


METHODS
The study was a randomized three-way crossover study with a 30 h wash-out period in eight healthy volunteers. Each subject received imipenem in three regimens: (i) a 0.5 h infusion of 0.5 g every 6 h for three doses; (ii) a 2 h infusion of 0.5 g every 6 h for three doses; and (iii) a 2 h infusion of 1 g every 6 h for three doses.


RESULTS
Following 0.5 h infusion of 0.5 g, the percentages of time above four times an MIC of 4, 2 and 1 mg/L were 21.5 +/- 2.2%, 38.6 +/- 3.5% and 57.5 +/- 4% of a 6 h interval, respectively. For the 2 h infusion of 0.5 g, the percentages of time above four times an MIC of 4, 2 and 1 mg/L were 26.9 +/- 8.5%, 48.0 +/- 3.5% and 65.4 +/- 3.2% of a 6 h interval, respectively. For the 2 h infusion of 1 g, the percentages of time above four times an MIC of 4, 2 and 1 mg/L were 51.6 +/- 5.4%, 67.8 +/- 4.5% and 87.8 +/- 5.6% of a 6 h interval, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
A 2 h infusion resulted in a greater t > MIC than those after a 0.5 h infusion and intermittent infusion may be a useful mode of administration of imipenem in tropical countries.
Jaruratanasirikul
Sutep
S
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkla 90110, Thailand. sutep.j@psu.ac.th
Raungsri
Nuntida
N
Punyo
Jarurat
J
Sriwiriyajan
Somchai
S
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D015378:Imipenem / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D013997:Time Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015378:Imipenem