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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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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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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
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Chemother 1975;8:58-62.
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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:
ability of serum concentrations of gentamicin: pharmaco- 183-95.
kinetics of gentamicin in patients with normal and abnormal 13. Devine BJ. Gentamicin therapy. Drug Intell Clin
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4. Hull JH, Sarubbi FA. Gentamicin serum concentra- 14. Tyler FH. Muscular dystrophies. In: Stanbury JB,
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