[The pharmacokinetics of nalidixic acid administered parenterally. Towards rational use in severe infections (author's transl)].

Nalidixic acid is effective toward Gram negative infections but its short half-life and potential neurological toxicity explain that its parenteral use is hazardous. Interindividual variations of its pharmacokinetic parameters explain also the absolute necessity of a careful drug monitoring adapted to each patient. The study of plasma kinetics of a single dose of nalidixic acid injected by intravenous route, shows these metabolic variations. With this results, the predicted plasma drug concentrations show that classical dosage regimens are adapted only to a little number of patients. Advantages and inadequacies of a single daily intravenous infusion of nalidixic acid are next analysed.