Comparative study of intraperitoneal and intravenous vancomycin pharmacokinetics during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

The pharmacokinetic characteristics of vancomycin were investigated in eight patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. A crossover design was used. Four noninfected patients received both a 15-mg/kg (body weight) intravenous dose and a 30-mg/kg intraperitoneal (i.p.) dose. Bioavailability ranged from 0.35 to 0.65 after i.p. administration. i.p. absorption was rapid, with concentrations in serum of 8.8 +/- 6 micrograms/ml noted at 1 h peak values of 30.4 +/- 7 micrograms/ml at 6 h. A slow distribution phase was apparent, with a terminal elimination phase emerging after 12 to 24 h. Vancomycin was eliminated slowly, with a mean total clearance of 5.0 +/- 1.3 ml/min, and concentrations in serum were 7.0 +/- 1.2 micrograms/ml at 168 h. The mean serum half-life was 91.7 +/- 28.1 h, and similar pharmacokinetics were noted after intravenous administration. Subsequently, four patients with catheter-related exit site or tunnel infections received a 30-mg/kg i.p. dose of vancomycin and displayed a similar kinetic pattern. This method of administering vancomycin achieved therapeutic serum and end-dwell dialysate concentrations over a 1-week period, represents a simple, cost-effective therapy which avoids the possibility of infusion-related toxicity, and deserves further investigation in patients with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis.