Pharmacokinetics of cefaclor in patients with stable renal impairment, and patients undergoing haemodialysis

The pharmacokinetics of cefaclor, a new orally absorbable cephalosporin antibiotic, were studied in five patients with mild to moderate renal impairment and in six patients with severe renal insufficiency undergoing chronic haemodialysis. Peak serum levels of cefaclor in both groups were comparable to those reported in patients with normal renal function. In patients with mild to moderate renal dysfunction, the serum half life (T½) ranged from 1.41 to 2.68 h. During haemodialysis the T½ was 1.99 to 2.14 h. Haemodialysis was effective in clearing cefaclor with clearances of 13.5 to 54.2 ml/min. Urine concentrations of cefaclor in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment were high enough to inhibit most common urinary pathogens.