Pharmacokinetics of foscarnet and distribution to cerebrospinal fluid after intravenous infusion in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

To investigate the pharmacokinetics and effects of intravenous foscarnet, 13 relatively healthy male patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection and a mean CD4+ lymphocyte value of 0.45 x 10(-9) cells per liter were given a continuous intravenous infusion of foscarnet (0.14 to 0.19 mg/kg per min) for 8 to 21 days. Blood and urine samples were taken during and after drug administration to monitor foscarnet concentrations. Lumbar puncture was performed during the infusion in five patients. The concentrations in plasma showed large variations both within and between patients. The disposition of foscarnet could be explained by a triexponential equation (t1/2 lambda 1, 0.40 to 2.52 h; t1/2 lambda 2, 3.20 to 16.7 h; t1/2 lambda 3, 36 to 196 h). Renal clearance accounted for most of the plasma clearance, the difference probably reflecting the passage of foscarnet into bone. Up to 20% of the cumulative dose may have been deposited in bone 7 days postinfusion. Foscarnet was distributed to the cerebrospinal fluid in a concentration varying from 13 to 68% of the simultaneous concentration in plasma. Polyuria and polydipsia were recorded in all patients. There appears to be an association between the degree of malaise, including symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and headache, and concentrations in plasma above 350 mumol/liter.