Pharmacokinetics of sulphadiazine, sulphamethoxazole and trimethoprim in patients with varying renal function.

The pharmacokinetics of tablets containing combinations of sulphadiazine (SDZ) and trimethoprim (TMP) (cotrimazine) and tablets with sulphamethoxazole (SMZ) and TMP (co-trimoxazole) were compared in patients with different renal functions. In normal renal function, SMZ is more similar to TMP than in renal impairment. In renal impairment although the serum half-life (t1/2) of both active and total SDZ remains similar to that of TMP, the t1/2 of total SMZ becomes several times higher than the t1/2 of TMP. The unchanged SMZ maintains approximately the same elimination velocity in reduced as in normal renal function. Consequently, for co-trimoxazole there is a buildup of SMZ metabolites which can only contribute to toxicity for co-trimoxazole, whereas the co-trimazine components have t1/2 values of the same order, also in renal dysfunction. The distribution volumes of SDZ, SMZ or TMP are the same regardless of renal function. However, the distribution volume of SDZ is closer to that of TMP, i.e. higher than the SMZ values. More active SDZ is excreted in the urine than SMZ both in normal and in reduced renal function. Thus co-trimazine, in addition to having some advantages in the normal individual, is in many respects distinctly more suitable in patients with renal functional impairment. On the basis of the patients with renal functional impairment. On the basis of the pharmacokinetic properties, dosage schedules are suggested that will give approximately the same plasma levels regardless of renal function.