Molecular Dx Significance 6/10

Population Pharmacokinetics of Polymyxin B Characterised by LC-MS/MS

Using a validated LC-MS/MS assay to measure individual polymyxin B components in 35 adult patients, this multicenter study established population pharmacokinetic parameters with a one-compartment model. Mean clearance was 2.5 L/h and volume of distribution 34.3 L. While creatinine clearance was a statistically significant covariate, its clinical impact was deemed insignificant, suggesting that renal-function-based dose adjustments may not be necessary for this last-resort antibiotic against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections.

The original study

Population Pharmacokinetics of Polymyxin B.

Authors
Manchandani P, Thamlikitkul V, Dubrovskaya Y, Babic JT, Lye DC, Lee LS, et al.
Journal
Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Type
Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Observational Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
PMID
29238962
Read the original study →

Original abstract

Polymyxin B is used as a last treatment resort for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections. The objectives of this study were to examine the population pharmacokinetics of polymyxin B and investigate factor(s) influencing pharmacokinetic variability. Four serial blood samples each were collected from 35 adult patients at steady state. The concentrations of individual polymyxin B components were analyzed using a validated liquid chromatography / tandem mass spectrometry assay and combined to derive total concentrations. A maximum likelihood expectation maximization approach was used to fit the data. Various demographic variables were investigated as potential covariates for clearance and volume of distribution (Vd ) using linear regression analysis. A one-compartment model fit to the data satisfactorily (r2  = 0.96). The best-fit mean ± SD for clearance and Vd were 2.5 ± 1.1 L/h and 34.3 ± 16.4 L, respectively. Creatinine clearance was found to be a statistically significant covariate of clearance, but the magnitude was deemed clinically insignificant.