Ceftazidime in acute myeloid leukemia patients with febrile neutropenia: helpfulness of continuous intravenous infusion in maximizing pharmacodynamic exposure

The pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic profile of a fixed 6-g daily continuous intravenous infusion of ceftazidime was assessed in 20 febrile neutropenic patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Mean steady-state ceftazidime concentrations averaging 40 mg/liter from day 2 on ensured maximized pharmacodynamic exposure (values close to four to five times the MIC breakpoint against Pseudomonas aeruginosa). However, large intra- and interindividual pharmacokinetic variability was documented throughout the study period. Copyright © 2005, American Society for Microbiology.