Pharmacokinetics of zanamivir in critically ill patients undergoing continuous venovenous hemofiltration

Abstract

Background Limited data exist for dosing of zanamivir in the setting of CVVH in the intensive care unit (ICU). Our objective is to report the pharmacokinetics and sieving coefficient (Sv) of zanamivir in patients receiving continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH). Methods In this prospective observational study, patients of ≥18 years admitted to the ICU with a life-threatening Influenza A or B infection, treated with zanamivir i.v. undergoing CVVH were included. Patients received a zanamivir loading dose of 600 mg i.v., 12 h later followed by maintenance dosages two times daily according to the treating physician. Per patient, nine CFT plasma and nine ultrafiltrate samples were drawn on day 2 of treatment and analysed with a validated HPLC-MS/MS method. Results Four patients were included in the study. The zanamivir elimination half-life was prolonged with 5.6–9.9 h, compared to patients with normal renal function. A Sv of approximately 1.0 was identified, with unrestricted transport of zanamivir to the ultrafiltrate. Conclusions Zanamivir is well cleared by CVVH. In absence of the possibility for therapeutic drug monitoring, the ultrafiltration rate seems as a good surrogate parameter to estimate the CLCVVH and may help guide the dosing of zanamivir.