Safety and pharmacokinetics of ceftazidime in patients with chronic hepatic dysfunction.

Safety and pharmacokinetic parameters of ceftazidime were evaluated in twelve male volunteers mean age 54.6 +/- 9.2 years. All had chronically impaired hepatic function which remained stable or normalized during ceftazidime administration. There was neither nephrotoxicity nor haematological toxicity. Serum concentration time curves of ceftazidime exhibited a biexponential decline. Drug accumulation was not apparent. Following doses 4 and 13, mean serum half-lives were 2.8 and 2.9 h, volumes of distribution 0.15 +/- 0.04 l/kg and 0.17 +/- 0.041 l/kg and plasma clearance values 1.320 +/- 0.50 ml/min/kg and 1.096 +/- 0.48 ml/min/kg, respectively. Dose modification based on hepatic dysfunction is unnecessary.