Pharmacokinetics of cefazolin in patients with renal failure; special reference to hemodialysis.

The pharmacokinetic constants of cefazolin were determined comparatively in ten normal subjects, 12 patients with renal failure, and ten patients on repeated hemodialysis. Significant correlations could be established between the creatinine clearance values and the overall elimination rate constants (Ke), serum half-lives (T 1/2), plasmatic areas (Ftot), urinary recoveries (uo-6 hr), and renal clearances of the antibiotic (Cr). The pharmacokinetic changes produced by extrarenal removal were also studied. On the basis of the obtained results, a dosage schedule adjusted to renal status was proposed.