Gentamicin Pharmacokinetics in Elderly Patients with Normal Renal Function
Objective: To establish the pharmacokinetic parameters of gentamicin in elderly patients and to compare predicted concentrations based on the Dettli method, with actual concentrations. Design: Measurement of gentamicin concentrations and pharmacokinetic parameters in a consecutive patient sample with comparison to ones predicted by the Dettli method. Setting: Medical and surgical units in a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Patients: Forty-six consecutive elderly men treated with gentamicin for documented or presumed infection and had stable, normal renal function. Main Outcome Measures: The following information was calculated or measured: elimination rate constant (kel), elimination half-life, volume of distribution (Vd), and peak and trough concentrations. Results: The mean kel (0.16 ± 0.05 h−1) was not significantly different (p=0.2) from the Dettli method prediction, and the mean Vd (0.36 ± 0.1 L/kg) was 37 percent higher than that usually reported. Actual peak and trough concentrations were significantly lower (both p<0.01) than predicted concentrations. Conclusions: Based on our findings, higher than recommended loading doses and longer dosage intervals may be required in the elderly. The Dettli method is useful to estimate kel in the elderly.