title: PK/PD Target Attainment With Ceftolozane/Tazobactam Using Monte Carlo Simulation in Patients With Various Degrees of Renal Function, Including Augmented Renal Clearance and End-Stage Renal Disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ceftolozane/tazobactam is an antibacterial agent with potent in vitro activity against Gram-negative pathogens, including many extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae and drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Because ceftolozane/tazobactam is primarily excreted renally, appropriate dose adjustments are needed for patients with renal impairment. Monte Carlo simulations were used to determine the probability of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic target attainment for patients with varying degrees of renal function, including augmented renal clearance (ARC) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) with hemodialysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Monte Carlo simulations were conducted for 1000 patients with ARC and normal renal function, mild renal impairment, moderate renal impairment, or severe renal impairment, and for 5000 patients with ESRD. Simulated dosing regimens were based on approved doses for each renal function category. Attainment targets for ceftolozane were 24.8% (bacteriostasis), 32.2% (1-log kill; bactericidal), and 40% (2-log kill) fT > minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The target for tazobactam was to achieve a 20% fT > minimum effective concentration (MEC) at an MEC of 1 mg/L, which was derived from a neutropenic mouse thigh infection model and was confirmed by efficacy data from clinical studies for complicated intraabdominal infections and complicated urinary tract infections.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In patients with ARC or normal renal function, ≥91% achieved bactericidal activity (32.2% fT > MIC) up to an MIC of 4 mg/L with a 1000-mg ceftolozane dose. In patients with renal impairment (mild, moderate, severe, ESRD), ≥93% achieved bactericidal activity up to an MIC of 8 mg/L. In patients of all renal function categories, the approved dosing regimens of tazobactam achieved ≥91% target attainment against a target of 20% fT > MEC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At the approved dosing regimens for ceftolozane/tazobactam, ≥91% of patients in all renal function categories, including ARC (up to 200 mL/min) and ESRD, reached target attainment for bactericidal activity at MICs that correspond to susceptibility breakpoints for Enterobacteriaceae and P. aeruginosa.
authors.affiliation: Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Alan J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Luzelena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Caro
authors.affiliation: Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Myra W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Popejoy
authors.affiliation: Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Huntington
authors.affiliation: Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA. ravina.kullar@merck.com.
authors.forename: Ravina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kullar
keywords: Antibacterial; Ceftolozane/tazobactam; Complicated intraabdominal infection; Complicated urinary tract infection; ESRD; Gram-negative pathogens; Monte Carlo simulation; Renal impairment; Target attainment