Pharmacokinetics of ticarcillin in patients with abnormal renal function.

The pharmacokinetics of ticarcillin were determined in patients with abnormal renal function. In individuals with rates of creatinine clearance of greater than 60 ml per min, the half-life (+/- standard deviation) of ticarcillin was 71 +/- 6 min after intravenous administration. In patients with rates of creatinine clearance of 30-60 ml per min, 10-30 ml per min, and less than 10 ml per min, ticarcillin had a half-life of 3.0 +/- 0.6 hr, 8.5 +/- 2.1 hr, and 14.8 +/- 3.7 hr, respectively. Urinary concentrations of ticarcillin after intravenous administration were adequate at all levels of renal function. Ticarcillin was removed by hemodialysis with a reduction in half-life to 3.4 +/- 0.8 hr, but peritoneal dialysis was minimally effective in removing the drug. A program for the use of ticarcillin patients with renal insufficiency was outlined.