Pulmonary and Systemic Pharmacokinetics of Inhaled and Intravenous Colistin Methanesulfonate in Cystic Fibrosis Patients: Targeting Advantage of Inhalational Administration

The purpose of this study was to define the pulmonary and systemic pharmacokinetics of colistin methanesulfonate (CMS) and formed colistin following intravenous (i.v.) and inhaled administration in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Six CF subjects were administered nebulized CMS doses of 2 and 4 million IU and an i.v. CMS infusion of 150 mg of colistin base activity. Blood plasma, sputum, and urine samples were collected for 12 to 24 h postdose. To assess the tolerability of the drug, lung function tests, blood serum creatinine concentrations, and adverse effect reports were recorded. All doses were well tolerated in the subjects. The pharmacokinetic parameters for CMS following i.v. delivery were consistent with previously reported values. Sputum concentrations of formed colistin were maintained at