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CLINICAL APPLICATION OF PHARMACOKINETICS

IN ADJUSTING GENTAMICIN DOSAGE:


CASE REPORTS
by Sylvia M. Wallace, Kathy Gesy, and Dennis K. J. Gorecki

GENTAMICIN is an aminoglycoside antibiotic whose Both therapeutic and toxic effects of gentamicin are
primary therapeutic role is the treatment of infections related to dose and serum levels of the drug. For
caused by gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae and treatment of most infections, peak serum levels of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa.! To ensure that the anti- 5-8 I.l.g/ml are effective. Slightly higher concentrations
biotic will be effective, particularly in life-threatening (8-10 f.l.g/ml) may be required to treat pneumonias."
infections, an adequate dose of gentamicin must be High peak serum levels occur more frequently in
administered. However, because gentamicin has a low patients who develop ototoxicity. Jackson and Ar-
therapeutic index, the drug must be administered with cieri report 10 of 19 patients exhibiting ototoxicity as
caution to ensure that patients do not receive a toxic having gentamicin serum levels greater than 8 f.l.g/ml,
dose. Toxic effects on the auditory-vestibular appara- with seven of the ten having levels between 16 and
tus and the kidney can result in hearing loss, loss of 40 I.l.g/ ml, 9 Patients with trough levels higher than 2
equilibrium, and acute renal tubular necrosis. The I.l.g/ ml exhibit a higher incidence of nephrotoxicity. 1 0
incidence of toxic effects can be related to the dosage To minimize toxicity, dosage regimens should be de-
of drug, length of treatment, preexisting renal dys- signed to avoid excessive serum levels of gentamicin,
function, and age of the patient. 1 (that is, peak levels greater than 10-12 f.l.g/ml and
Gentamicin is eliminated from the body primarily trough levels above 2-3 f.l.g/ml). 8
by renal excretion. Total body clearance of genta- Because of a low therapeutic index and variability
micin is directly proportional to creatinine clearance." in gentamicin disposition, dosage should be individ-
The elimination half-life ranges from two to three hours ually adjusted for each patient. Since elimination of
in patients with normal renal function," up to 69 hours gentamicin is primarily dependent on renal function,
in anuric patients.' For most clinical applications, the most methods of adjusting dosages for patients rely
half-life is calculated assuming gentamicin pharma- on an estimate of kidney function (e.g., serum crea-
cokinetics can be described by a one-compartment tinine, creatinine clearance). 4,11 If serum levels of
model. If serum samples are obtained for a prolonged gentamicin are measured, more precise definition of
period (e.g., 120 hours"), the decline of serum levels pharmacokinetic parameters and adjustment of dos-
is biphasic and can be described by a two-compart- age are possible.!" Since the dosage required to main-
ment pharmacokinetic model. The slower elimination tain therapeutic but nontoxic drug levels is different
(13) phase has an average half-life of 53 hours in pa- for each patient, the correct balance can best be
tients with normal renal function and 173 hours in achieved by a judicious choice of the initial regimen
patients with a creatinine clearance of less than 25 (determined with reference to kidney function) ,
ml/rnin." measurement of drug levels, and subsequent adjust-
Gentamicin disposition is also affected by a number ment of dosage.
of other physiologic and pathologic conditions." Be- In our experience, methods for predicting genta-
cause gentamicin is distributed less to adipose tissue micin levels and designing optimal dosage schedules
than to other tissues, the relative volume of distribu- are most successful in patients with average weight,
tion is lower in obese subjects than in subjects with good renal function, and relatively stable clinical con-
normal weight.6 Prediction of serum levels is more dition. Despite the accumulation of pharmacokinetic
accurate when based on estimates of lean body weight information relating to the aminoglycoside antibiotics,
(LBW) than on total body weight (TBW).4 Volumes pharmacokinetic predictions alone cannot anticipate
of distribution in patients with ascites appear to be the physiologic and pathologic changes that occur in
larger than in normal patients." many hospitalized patients with acute illnesses. The
following case histories were selected to illustrate the
SYLVIA M. WALLACE, B.S.P., Ph.D., is Associate Pro- use of pharmacokinetic monitoring of patients, and to
fessor, College of Pharmacy; KATHY GESY, B.S.P., is emphasize the necessity of clinical assessment to mod-
Lecturer, College of Pharmacy; and DENNIS K. J. ify recommendations based on pharmacokinetic an-
GORECKI, B.S.P., Ph.D., is Director, Pharmaceutical alysis.
Research and Analysis Laboratory, College of Phar-
macy, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Sas- All case histories reported are for inpatients at
katchewan, Canada. Saskatoon City Hospital (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan).
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. S. M.
All serum samples were analyzed in duplicate by
Wallace, College of Pharmacy, University of Saskatchewan, radioimmunoassay (New England Nuclear commer-
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N OWO. cial kit, Rianenw) at the Pharmaceutical Research and

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Analysis Laboratory of the College of Pharmacy, white blood count (WBC) 15900 with left shift, hemo-
University of Saskatchewan. globin (Hb) 10.6 g/100 ml, hematocrit (Hct) 31.5%,
sodium 137 mEq/L, potassium ·4.6 mEq/L, chloride
Gentamicin was administered by intravenous in- 102.5 mEq/L, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 8 mg/lOO
fusion for a period of ¥2 to I hour as ordered by the ml, serum creatinine 1.2 mg/lOO ml. Blood and urine
physician. The exact time of starting and stopping the cultures showed no bacterial growth. Vaginal cultures
infusion was noted by the nursing staff. Blood sam- showed growth of Enterobacter cloacae sensitive to
ples for measurement of gentamicin levels were usually gentamicin. The preliminary diagnosis was pelvic peri-
tonitis with possible abscess.
drawn when the patient was at steady state, immedi- Gentamicin therapy (80 mg iv q8h) and ampicillin
ately prior to a dose, and 30 minutes postinfusion. 1 g iv q6h were initiated at 2200 h May 30. Serum
The exact time of blood collection was noted by the gentamicin levels were determined June 2 before and
phlebotomist. Serum was separated from blood and after administration of the ninth dose. A peak level
analyzed for gentamicin by radioimmunoassay. The of 11.4 .ug/ml and a trough level of 2.5 .ug/ml were
achieved. A decrease in dose to 50 mg iv q8h was
serum gentamicin levels were plotted on semi-logarith- recommended. Forty hours after decreasing the dose,
mic graph paper (logarithm of concentration against serum gentamicin levels were 7.9 ~(g/ml for the peak
time) . The serum level measured before the dose and 2.2 .ug/ml for the trough.
was assumed to also represent the level which would Clindamycin 300 mg q6h was started June 4. On
be achieved at the end of the following dosing interval June 5, examination by ultrasound revealed a pelvic
mass. A laparotomy was performed June 10. A fixed,
(since the patient was at steady state). The elimina- poorly differentiated carcinoma of the pelvis was diag-
tion half-life (t¥2) was estimated from the graph. nosed and removed. Antibiotics were discontinued
The peak concentration (C max) was estimated by ex- June 13. The patient was discharged in good condition
trapolating the graph to the time the infusion had June 20.
terminated. The volume of distribution (V d) was
estimated from the measured gentamicin levels using This patient had good renal function, average body
the following equation: 12 weight, and remained relatively stable throughout the
period of hospitalization. Her serum creatinine re-
_ k, (1- e-kdt') mained between 1.0 and 1.2 mg/IOO ml. The dosage
V d - kd(Cmax-Cmine-k dt)
' Eq. I initially prescribed was too high and necessitated a
reduction. The schedule recommended (50 mg q8h),
where k, = infusion rate (mg gentamicin/h); k d= based on estimation of the patient's Ve (7.9 L) and
elimination rate constant (0.693/t¥2); t' = length of t¥2 (3.7 h) from the gentamicin levels measured, was
the infusion (h); C max = peak gentamicin concentra- predicted to achieve a peak serum level of 7.4 }-lg/ml
tion, that is, at the end of the infusion (ug/rnl}; and a trough level of 2.2 }-lg/ml. The peak level
and C min = trough gentamicin concentration at the end achieved was 7.9 }-lg/ml and the trough, 2.2 }-lg/ml.
of the previous dosing interval (}-lg/ml).
The dosage required to achieve a therapeutic peak CASE 2
and trough level at steady state was calculated from A 74-year-old male (weight 90 kg, height 5'6") was ad-
Equation 2, where T= dosage interval: mitted to the Intensive Care Unit (lCU) June 3 with
signs of intestinal obstruction. On examination, the
k = CmnxkdVd (I - e-kdT) patient exhibited cyanosis and a distended abdomen.
o (1- e-kdt') Eq. 2 He was vomiting, sweating, and had clammy skin. His
pulse was weak and blood pressure was not recordable.
This dosage was rounded to the nearest easily admin- The preliminary diagnosis was peritonitis secondary
istered dose and the peak and trough that would to obstruction and perforation of the small bowel.
Ampicillin 1 g iv q6h was ordered on admission.
be achieved at this infusion rate calculated as: Laboratory data on admission were: WBC 11 100,
Hb 19.1 g/100 ml, Hct 54%, sodium 142 mEq/L, po-
tassium 4 mEq/L, chloride 92.5 mEq/L, BUN 64
Eq.3 mg/100 ml, serum creatinine 3.4 mg/l00 ml. The pa-
tient had no history of renal disease.
Surgery was performed June 3, and a small segment
of his small bowel was resected. The patient was
Eq.4 digitalized (lanatoside C 0.4 mg iv) and curarized (pan-
curonium bromide) during surgery and was main-
Lean body weight (LBW) was estimated as: 13
tained on a respirator after surgery. Dopamine was
LBW (Males) = 50 kg + 2.3 kg/inch of height administered by an intravenous infusion with the rate
of administration adjusted to maintain a systolic blood
over 5 ft. pressure of 90 mm Hg. Intravenous fluids and albu-
LBW (Females) =45.5 kg + 2.3 kg/inch of min were administered to maintain central venous pres-
height over 5 ft. sure.
Gentamicin 80 mg iv was administered (l h dura-
CASE REPORTS tion) before surgery at 2030 h June 3. Because of his
high serum creatinine and poor renal function, serum
CASE 1 samples were analyzed before administering the next
A 56-year-old female (weight 48 kg, height 5') was dose of gentamicin. Gentamicin levels were 1.85
admitted May 30 with a one-month history of chills, I.(g/ml at 0800 hand 1.15 .ug/ml at 1400 h on June 4.
weight loss, and general malaise. On admission, the Elimination t\.02 and Vd estimated from these measure-
patient was febrile (T 38.2°C); laboratory tests were: ments were 9 hand 18 L (28 percent LBW), respec-

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GENTAMICIN DOSAGE

tively. Based on these pharmacokinetic parameters, a Both half-life and V<\ changed significantly. For such
dose of 100 mg q24h was recommended. Gentamicin patients, serum gentamicin levels should be measured
100 mg was administered at 1800 h June 4 and 5.
frequently and gentamicin dosage adjusted accord-
The patient developed an erythematous rash June 4.
Ampicillin was discontinued June 5, and two doses of ingly. Laboratory tests as well as the clinical status
chlorpheniramine 10 mg iv q 12h were administered. of the patient should alert the pharmacist or physician
Serum gentamicin levels were repeated June 6 at and help to identify patients requiring frequent serum
0800 h (3.6 .ug/ml) and 1330 h (2.6 .ug/ml). The t l/ 2 level monitoring. In this case, decreasing serum cre-
had increased to 12 hand V<\ decreased slightly to atinine indicated a gradual improvement in renal func-
16 L. Serum creatinine during this period rose from
3.4 to 3.5 mg/lOO mI. The schedule of 100 mg q24h
tion while marked abdominal distension indicated a
was maintained June 6 through 8. By June 8, the significant accumulation of peritoneal fluid.
patient's condition was stable and gradually improving.
His abdomen was moderately distended with indica- CASE 3
tions of some fluid accumulation. In fact, he had A 56-year-old male (weight 90 kg, height 5'10") was
accumulated a positive fluid balance of approximately admitted May 17 with fever, chills, sweating, and left
4 L. Serum creatinine decreased to 2.4 mg/lOO ml subcostal pleuritic pain. During the previous two
June 7, and then to 1.4 mg/100 ml June 8. Serum gen-
weeks, the patient had complained of increased short-
tamicin levels measured June 9 were 1.5 .ug/ml at 0810
ness of breath, decreased energy, and frontal head-
hand 1.05 .ug/ml at 1315 h. Based on these measure- aches. He had experienced recurrent respiratory in-
ments, the t'l2 had decreased slightly to 10 h and the
fections for the past six months. The patient was re-
V<\ increased significantly to 32 L (50 percent LBW).
ferred with a preliminary diagnosis of acute leukemia.
The extrapolated value for the peak serum level was
On admission his vital signs were: P 88 and regular,
5 .ug/mI. The gentamicin dosage was then increased to
BP 120/80 mm Hg, and T sti-c. A chest X-ray
120 mg q24h. The patient continued to improve, and
showed signs of left lower lobe consolidation. Labora-
the dopamine was discontinued June 10. His daily
tory tests on admission were: WBC 33 100 (with 1%
fluid balance became negative. On June 11, serum
neutrophils, 18% lymphocytes, 27% monocytes, and
levels of gentamicin measured at 0830 hand 1300 h
35% blast cells), Hb 10.3 g/lOO ml, Hct 31.2%, plate-
were 1.4 .ug/ml and 0.6 .ug/ml, respectively. Reflect-
lets 152000, sodium 142 mEq/L, potassium 4.2
ing the improvement in renal function, the tlh for
mEq/L, chloride 105 mEq/L, BUN 18 mg/IOO ml,
gentamicin had decreased significantly to 3.7 h (serum
and serum creatinine 1.1 mg/l00 ml,
creatinine on June 10 was 1.2 mg/lOO ml), With the
Cephalothin 1 g iv q6h and gentamicin 100 mg iv
disappearance of peritoneal fluid accumulation, the V <1
were administered at 1230 h May 18 followed by
had returned to normal (16 L, 25 percent LBW). With
gentamicin 80 mg q8h beginning at 2200 h. Serum
the decrease in t'l2, a change in the dosage schedule to
gentamicin levels were analyzed May 20 before and
90 rng q12h was recommended. By June 16, his wound
after administration of the eighth dose. The peak
was healing, and he had been extubated, no longer re-
level was 3.75 .ug/ml and the trough, 0.9 .ug/mI. On
quiring the respirator. The gentamicin was discon-
May 22, the dose was increased to 120 mg q8h at
tinued. The patient returned to the ward June 17 and
was discharged June 24. 1400 h.
Laboratory reports confirmed a diagnosis of acute
myelomonocytic leukemia with possible left lower lobe
With rapidly changing renal function, significant infiltration. Chemotherapy (adriamycin 30 mg iv for
changes in gentamicin disposition were anticipated. 3 d and cytosine arabinoside 150 mg for 5 d) was
scheduled for May 21. Metoclopramide (10 mg iv
Changes in gentamicin half-life did not coincide with before adriamycin and cytosine arabinoside) and chlor-
the changes in serum creatinine. The half-life re- promazine (25 rng im prn) were ordered to control
mained prolonged for several days after the serum nausea.
creatinine began to decrease. Coupled with the Gentamicin levels were measured May 27. With a
changes in renal function, the V<\ changed dramatically dose of 120 mg q8h, a peak of 10.3 .ug/ml and a
trough of 2 .ug/ml were achieved. A chest X-ray
during the course of the patient's hospital stay. Peri- showed clearing of left lung consolidation; the anti-
toneal fluid accumulation produced marked distension biotics were discontinued May 29.
of his abdomen. The V<\ increased to 50 percent LBW Two days after discontinuing the gentamicin therapy,
and then returned to normal (25 percent LBW) when the patient developed a dental abscess and gentamicin
the fluid had dissipated. Although the V d in most therapy was reinstituted at a loading dose of 120 mg
followed by 100 mg iv q8h. The peak level on this
patients is estimated as 20-25 percent LBW, V<\ values regimen was 6.8 .ug/ml and the trough, 1.8 .ug/mI.
of 31-84 percent LBW have been reported for pa-
tients with ascites.' In a patient with an abnormally Initial estimates of pharmacokinetic parameters
large V,), pharmacokinetic predictions must be tem- based on a peak level of 3.75 f.lg/ml and a trough
pered by clinical judgment. Anticipating that the level of 0.9 f.lg/ml for a dosing schedule of 80 mg q8h
fluid accumulation and V d increase (from 16 to 32 L) were 3.6 h for the half-life and 26 L (37 percent
were transient, the gentamicin dosage was not doubled LBW) for V<\. The V<\ is large and perhaps due, in
but was only increased from 100 to 120 mg q24h. As part, to accumulation of fluid. The daily fluid balance
the patient's condition stabilized with a normal VII, remained positive until May 23. Pharmacokinetic
decreased serum creatinine, and decreased gentamicin parameters determined May 27, nine days after start-
half-life, the dosing interval was decreased from 24 to ing the gentamicin and five days after increasing the
12 hours to maintain therapeutic levels for longer dosage, reflected a change in the patient's clinical con-
periods. dition. Although the half-life remained essentially
The dosage schedule required to maintain therapeu- unchanged (3.4 h), the v, decreased to 12.5 L (17
tic levels of gentamicin in this patient was variable. percent LBW). From May 21-25 the patient received

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chemotherapy during which time he experienced macokinetic parameters, a decrease in dose to 70 mg
nausea and vomiting and did not eat regularly. Be- q12h was recommended. Levels measured after dose
reduction were 8 J.tg/ml for the peak and 1.2 J.tg/ml
tween admission (May 17) and May 24, the patient for the trough.
lost 3 kg of body weight. His renal function, as mon-
itored by serum creatinine, remained unchanged (1.1 In patients with muscular dystrophy, serum cre-
mg/ 100 ml). The decreasing V d could be attributed atinine cannot be used as a measure of renal function
to clearing of the pleural exudate as well as to fluid to aid in the adjustment of dosage of the aminoglyco-
and weight loss during chemotherapy. side antibiotics. As in this patient, serum creatinine
When gentamicin was reinstituted June 2, the half- is low because of a decreased rate of creatinine pro-
life remained approximately the same (3.7 h). The duction. Serum concentrations of creatine and cre-
Ve increased to 17.7 L (24 percent LBW), a value atine phosphokinase are elevated.l! Other tests of
within the normal range. The patient was once again renal function such as inulin and p-arninohippurate
eating well; nausea and vomiting due to the chemo- clearance give normal values.
therapy had ceased. The half-life, as estimated from measured genta-
Although the patient's half-life remained relatively micin levels, was 4 h and the V d, 9 L (21 percent
constant throughout the course of gentamicin therapy, LBW) . As a result, a dosing interval longer than
the Ve changed significantly. The changes in Ve re- eight hours was required to maintain a trough level
flected changes in the patient's clinical condition, that below that associated with toxicity (2 flg/ml), but a
is, from abnormal fluid accumulation to dehydration peak level high enough for treatment of pneumonia
secondary to prolonged nausea and vomiting. Any (8 flg/ml). The primary aim in altering the dosage
dosing recommendations based on pharmacokinetic schedule from 80 mg q8h to 70 mg q12h was to de-
predictions must be influenced by the clinical changes crease the trough level of 3.4 flg/ml. The peak and
noted. With prior knowledge that the patient is to trough values predicted using Equations 3 and 4, a
receive a chemotherapy regimen, which often produces t~ of 4 h, V<\ of 9 L, and a dosage schedule of 70
nausea and vomiting, contraction of the V<\ for genta- mg q 12h were 8.2 ltg/ ml and 1. 3 flg/ ml,
micin should be anticipated. Any adjustments in dos- Pharmacokinetic models of gentamicin dosing can-
age should be conservative. Thus, although initial not be applied in isolation. Clinical assessment of the
estimates of pharmacokinetic parameters in this case individual patient is of major importance and will, in
suggest a doubling of the dose (from 80 to 160 q8h), many cases, determine the outcome of dosage recom-
the dosage increase recommended should be con- mendations. The preceding cases, encountered in our
servative (from 80 to 120 mg q8h). In addition, pharmacokinetic practice, are meant to serve as ex-
serum levels should be monitored more frequently amples of how practical application of pharmaco-
during chemotherapy since the exact change in V d kinetics must be tempered with clinical judgment.e-
cannot be predicted.
CASE 4 We wish to thank the pharmacists, physicians, laboratory
technologists, and nurses of Saskatoon City Hospital for
A 3 I-year-old male (weight 43.2 kg, height 5'4") with their cooperation and assistance in conducting the pharma-
advanced muscular dystrophy was admitted to the ICU cokinetic service.
April 30 with respiratory failure, acute bronchitis, in-
creasing dyspnea, and retention of bronchial secretions.
The patient had severe pulmonary restriction because
KEY WORDS: pharmacokinetics, gentamicin, serum concen-
of skeletal deformity and musculoskeletal weakness.
trations, aminoglycoside antibiotics.
Ampicillin 500 rng iv q6h was administered April 30.
A tracheostomy was performed May 3. By May 7, the
patient had developed bilateral pleural effusions in both EXTRACTO
lung bases and had accumulated a fluid balance of 7 L.
Los model os farmacocineticos para dosificar gentamicina no
Furosemide (up to 40 mg q6h) was administered.
pueden aplicarse aisladamente. Los cambios fisiologicos y
Sputum cultures of May 7 reported growth of Klebsiella
patologicos que ocurren en muchos pacientes hospitalizados
pneumoniae and Pseudomonas maltophilia resistant to
cuyo estado clinico es inestable no pueden ser anticipados
the aminoglycosides and ampicillin; sensitive to carbeni-
por predicciones farrnacocineticas unicarnente. Se presentan
cillin, sulfonamides, and co-trimoxazole. Sulfisoxazole
cuatro casos para ilustrar el uso de vigilancia farmacocinetica
0.5 g qid was administered. On May 21, the patient
en pacientes y para enfatizar la necesidad de utilizar la
was still febrile (39°C) and had developed an erythe-
evaluacion clinica del paciente para modificar aquellas re-
matous rash. Ampicillin was discontinued, and ceph-
comendaciones basadas en analisis farmacocinetico,
alexin 500 mg qid was started. On May 30, sputum
cultures showed light growth of Pseudomonas aeru- Luz M. GUTIERREZ
ginosa (sensitive to cephalosporins and gentamicin). A
chest X-ray showed evidence of right lower lobe pneu-
RESUME
monia. Cephalexin and sulfisoxazole were discontinued.
Cephalothin 500 mg iv q6h and gentamicin 80 mg iv Le faible index therapeutlque de la gentamicine, antibiotique
q8h were initiated at 1700 h on May 30. Laboratory de la c1asse des aminoglycosides, est bien documente, Des
tests of May 23 were: WBC 10 300, Hb 14.9 g/IOO ml, pies seriques superieurs a 8-10 J.tg/ml ont ete associes a une
Hct 47.4%, sodium 137 mEq/L, potassium 3.4 mEq/L, incidence elevee d'ototoxicite; de merne, des "creux" supe-
chloride 82 mEq/L, BUN II mg/100 ml, and serum rieurs a 2-3 J.tg/ml ont-ils ete incrimines dans l'etiologie de
creatinine 0.3 mg/100mI. reactions nephrotoxiques a cet antibiotique. Malgre l'abon-
Serum levels of gentamicin on June 2 were a trough dante documentation consacree a cet agent chirniotherapeu-
of 3.4 J.tg/ml and a peak of II J.tg/mI. Based on phar- tique, il demeure encore difficile a l'heure actuelle d'instaurer

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GENTAMICIN DOSAGE

un regime posologique a la fois efficace et non toxique. Pour 5. Pechere JC, Dugal R. Clinical pharmacokinetics of
ces raisons, un monitorage pharmacocinetique circonspect, aminoglycoside antibiotics. Clin Pharmacokinet 1979;4:170-
base sur la mesure des taux seriques maximaux et minimaux 99.
du medicament, represente actuellement la therapeutique de 6. Schwartz SN, et al. A controlled investigation of the
choix chez les malades severement atteints. pharmacokinetics of gentamicin and tobramycin in obese sub-
Les auteurs presentent ici une breve revue des proprietes jects. J Infect Dis 1978;138:499-505.
pharmacocinetiques de la gentamicine pertinentes a une utili- 7. Gill MA, Kern JW. Altered gentamicin disposition in
sation clinique. Une serie de cas cliniques illustrent cette ascitic patients. Am J Hosp Pharm 1979;36:1704-6.
pratique. 8. Barza M, Lauermann M. Why monitor gentamicin
ALAIN BOISVERT serum levels? Clin Pharmacokinet 1978;3:202-15.
9. Jackson GG, Arcieri G. Ototoxicity of gentamicin in
man: a survey and controlled analysis of clinical experience
in the United States. J Infect Dis 1971;124:S130-7.
10. Dahlgren JG, Anderson ET, Hewitt WL. Gentamicin
References blood levels: a guide to nephrotoxicity. Antimicrob Agents
Chemother 1975;8:58-62.
I. Appel GB, Neu HC. Gentamicin in 1978. Ann Intern 11. Schumacher GE. Pharmacokinetic analysis of genta-
Med 1978;89:528-38. micin dosage regimens recommended for renal impairment.
2. Schentag JJ, Jusko WJ, Vance JW, et al. Gentamicin J Clin Pharmacol 1975;15:656-65.
disposition and tissue accumulation on multiple dosing. 12. Sawchuk RJ, Zaske DE. Pharmacokinetics of dosing
J Pharmacokinet Biopharm 1977;5:559-77. regimens which utilize multiple intravenous infusions: genta-
3. Kaye D, Levison ME, Labovitz ED. The unpredict- micin in burn patients. J Pharmacokinet Biopharm 1976;4:
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kinetics of gentamicin in patients with normal and abnormal 13. Devine BJ. Gentamicin therapy. Drug Intell Clin
renal function. J Infect Dis 1974;130:150-4. Pharm 1974;8:650-5.
4. Hull JH, Sarubbi FA. Gentamicin serum concentra- 14. Tyler FH. Muscular dystrophies. In: Stanbury JB,
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