The removal of doripenem by hemodialysis was studied in six hemodialysis patients. Following an intravenous drip infusion of 0.5 g of doripenem, plasma concentrations of the drug were measured. The decrease in drug concentrations in plasma was observed during various periods of non-hemodialysis, and hemodialysis accelerated the elimination of doripenem. For example, the calculated mean half-life during hemodialysis was significantly shorter than that during non-hemodialysis periods (P = 0.002). The calculated pharmacokinetic parameters indicated that the mean rate of decrease in plasma concentration due to hemodialysis alone was 56.12 ± 8.11%. Upon obtaining these results and several pharmacokinetic parameters, we attempted to optimize the dosing regimen of doripenem for hemodialysis patients. We recommend the use of 0.25 g of doripenem once a day in patients infected with viable bacteria, and in patients who are infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 0.5 g twice a day on the first day of administration, followed by 0.5 g once a day.
© 2011 The Authors. Therapeutic Apheresis and Dialysis © 2011 International Society for Apheresis.