Elimination kinetics of cefotaxime in patients with renal insufficiency requiring dialysis

Pharmacokinetics were studied after a single intravenous dose of 2 g cefotaxime in six subjects with normal kidney function and in 14 patients with severe renal insufficiency, seven of them during haemodialysis and seven in the period between dialysis sessions. From 0.86 ± 0.11 h with normal kidney function the half-life prolonged to 14.6 ± 4.7 h, while during dialysis t/2 decreased to 1.69 ± 0.38 h. Clearance of cefotaxime ranged from 47 to 76 ml/min (mean 60.0). A dosage schedule of cefotaxime in patients undergoing haemodialysis is presented.