Netilmicin treatment of complicated urinary tract infections.

Netilmicin was investigated in the treatment of complicated urinary tract infection in 169 elderly male patients. It was found to be safe and effective at the dose levels of 1.0-2.5 mg/kg, three times a day, or 2 mg/kg twice a day, eliminating approximately 50-60% of the infections. The serum half-life of netilmicin was 2-3 hours in subjects with normal renal function but increased to 10-14 hours in subjects with severe uremia. When the dosage was adjusted according to the patient's weight and serum creatinine, some nephrotoxicity occurred, possibly due to drug accumulation. Therefore, we suggest that the dose be adjusted according to reduction in creatinine clearance and when possible, monitoring serum concentrations during treatment.