Pharmacokinetics of intramuscular ceforanide in infants, children, and adolescents.

We studied the pharmacokinetics of intramuscular ceforanide in 46 infants, children, and adolescents, ranging in age from 1 month to 17 years. After the subjects were given 20-mg doses of ceforanide per kg, the mean peak plasma concentration was 56.3 microgram/ml (range, 27.0 to 95.0), the mean 8-h level was 5.9 microgram/ml (range, 1.5 to 13.5), and the mean 12-h level was 1.5 microgram/ml (range, 0.2 to 4.2). Ceforanide half-life varied with the ages of the patients: in 1- to 2-year-old children, in half-life was significantly shorter (1.5 h) than in younger or older children. Plasma concentrations at 8 and 12 h after a dose were lowest in 1- to 2-year-old children. There was no relationship between the area under the curve, the volume of distribution, or the body clearance of ceforanide to the ages of the patients. Within 6 h of administration of the drug, a mean of 77.5% of a dose was excreted in urine, and at the end of 12 h, virtually all (93.9%) of the administered dose was recovered in urine samples. The administration of ceforanide every 12 h did not result in drug accumulation. A dose of 20 mg of ceforanide per kg every 12 h is recommended for most pediatric patients. Dosage recommendations for 1- to 2 year-old children are presented.