New insight into the clinical pharmacokinetics of cefaclor: tissue penetration.

The serum pharmacokinetic data presented are generally in agreement with those obtained by other authors with both the cefaclor IR (immediate release) and AF (advanced formulation) or MR (modified release) formulations. With the new sustained-release formulation, the time of peak (Tmax) and mean residence time (MRT) values are significantly longer than those observed with the standard cefaclor IR. For the first time the penetration of the MR formulation of cefaclor was determined both in suction blister fluid (SBF) and alveolar epithelial lining fluid (ELF). Cefaclor demonstrated a high tissue distribution, with a high penetration index (PI) into blister fluid, which is at least representative of a relatively large volume of fluid-filled spaces and in part of highly vascularized tissues. SBF and ELF concentrations were higher than blood levels starting at the 4th-6th hour after dose, with longer elimination half-lives from the extravascular compartment than from serum. Cefaclor has a favorable pharmacokinetic profile, especially the new sustained-release formulation, which maintains effective concentrations for a longer time than the IR preparation. The MR formulation improves the kinetic properties of the cefaclor molecule with a prolonged MRT which allows a daily dosage of 750 mg every 12 h.