Rationality of Administered Gentamicin Dose in Cerebral Coma Patients Treated in an Intensive Care Unit
Abstract
Material and Methods. A total of 24 ICU patients suffering from cerebral coma were included into this analysis. A dosage of gentamicin of 5 mg/kg body weight was administered once a day. Gentamicin concentrations were tested twice after the first dose infusion (immediately and 5 hours after 1-hour infusion). Cmax, Cmin, volume of distribution (Vd), and elimination half-life (T1/2) were obtained.
Results. The mean Cmax was 17.96 (SD, 4.31) μg/mL (range, 10.30–27.87 μg/mL). The desirable Cmax (≥20 μg/mL) was reached only in 6 patients (25%). Cmin was calculated using a special pharmacokinetic program “Kinetica.” Cmin of 0.5 μg/mL was not exceeded in any patient. A correlative analysis indicated a significant inverse direct correlation between Cmax and Vd and between Cmax and treatment duration in the ICU. An inverse correlation was observed between Cmin and T1/2, evaluation of coma according to the Glasgow coma scale, and creatinine clearance.
Conclusions. A dosage of 5 mg/kg body weight once a day was not sufficient in cerebral coma ICU patients. This dose was not associated with the nephrotoxic effect of gentamicin (additional risk factors were absent). It is recommended to obtain gentamicin concentration at two time points following administration of the first dose (e.g., immediately after 1-hour infusion and 5 hours later), and using a special pharmacokinetic software, to calculate a necessary dose and interval of administration.
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Janušonis, T.; Mačiulaitis, R.; Sveikata, A.; Milašius, A.; Kregždytė, R. Rationality of Administered Gentamicin Dose in Cerebral Coma Patients Treated in an Intensive Care Unit. Medicina 2011, 47, 10. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina47020010
Janušonis T, Mačiulaitis R, Sveikata A, Milašius A, Kregždytė R. Rationality of Administered Gentamicin Dose in Cerebral Coma Patients Treated in an Intensive Care Unit. Medicina. 2011; 47(2):10. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina47020010
Chicago/Turabian StyleJanušonis, Tomas, Romaldas Mačiulaitis, Audrius Sveikata, Arvydas Milašius, and Rima Kregždytė. 2011. "Rationality of Administered Gentamicin Dose in Cerebral Coma Patients Treated in an Intensive Care Unit" Medicina 47, no. 2: 10. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina47020010