Comparison of aminoglycoside pharmacokinetics in Asian, Hispanic, and Caucasian patients by using population pharmacokinetic methods.

A population pharmacokinetic model for aminoglycosides was developed from 24 Hispanic, 16 Asian, and 22 Caucasian patients. A nonparametric expectation maximization algorithm for population modeling was used. With this one-compartment model, the parameters were the slope of the apparent volume of distribution versus weight (VS) and the slope of the elimination rate constant versus the creatinine clearance rate (KS). The mean VS (+/- standard deviation) was not different at 0.264 (+/- 0.05), 0.248 (+/- 0.055), and 0.260 (+/- 0.080) liter/kg of body weight for Asian, Hispanic, and Caucasian populations, respectively (P > 0.10). The KS means +/- standard deviations were 0.00424 +/- 0.00129, 0.00404 +/- 0.00160 and 0.00394 0.00103 [h(ml/min/1.73 m2)]-1 +/- for Hispanic, Asian, and Caucasian populations, respectively. Again, there was no statistical difference among the groups (P > 0.10). In conclusion, there are no differences in aminoglycoside pharmacokinetics among Asian, Hispanic, and Caucasian patients.