Pharmacokinetics and outcome of tazobactam/piperacillin in Japanese patients undergoing low-flow continuous renal replacement therapy: dosage considerations

BACKGROUND: Tazobactam/piperacillin (TAZ/PIPC), which is often combined with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), induces renal excretion and is thought to have a high component removal rate for blood purification. CRRT procedures vary depending on the country, region, and institution. It is not clear whether the dose of TAZ/PIPC for use in Japan can be determined based on studies conducted in other countries. Therefore, in this study, we examined the suitability of recommended dose in Japan. METHODS: The study subjects consisted of 10 patients who received TAZ/PIPC during CRRT in the intensive care unit of Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan. We used a one-compartment model to characterize and parameterize the pharmacokinetics of TAZ/PIPC because their blood levels were eliminated monoexponentially. RESULTS: Compared with the data of healthy adults, the half-lives (t(1/2)) of both PIPC and TAZ were prolonged while their clearance rates decreased. CONCLUSION: For the continuous hemodiafiltration procedure adopted in Japan, we concluded that the dose and frequency were appropriate because the patients who received PIPC/TAZ 2.25 g twice a day during continuous hemodiafiltration maintained appropriate blood levels of both PIPC and TAZ.