Aminoglycoside pharmacokinetics in African-Americans with normal renal function.

Objective: To compare aminoglycoside pharmacokinetics in African-Americans with normal renal function with published adult population values.

Design: An Institutional Review Board approved concurrent study.

Setting: The study was conducted at Howard University Hospital, Washington DC.

Appropriateness of a 4 mg/kg gentamicin or tobramycin loading dose in post-operative septic shock patients.

Objective: To determine the frequency with which early adequate peak serum concentrations (6-12 mg/ litre) can be achieved following a 4 mg/kg loading dose of gentamicin or tobramycin in post-operative septic shock patients.

Method: Eleven post-operative septic shock patients were grouped into (i) a control group (n=7) who received the conventional gentamicin or tobramycin dosing regimen of 2 mg/kg loading dose followed by a maintenance dose of approximately 1.5mg/kg (peak and trough levels were measured after the third dose), and (ii) a study group (n = 4) who received a tobramycin or gentamicin 4 mg/kg loading dose, followed by 30 min, 3 h and 16 h serum drug level measurements.