Population Pharmacokinetics of Amikacin in Indian Pediatric Patients

The aim of this study was to describe population pharmacokinetics of amikacin in Indian pediatric population. Dosage adjustment based on individual pharmacokinetic parameters is of considerable importance for effective and safe use of drugs. Extensive work on amikacin and other aminoglycosides was carried out in different pediatric patient populations but no data are available in Indian pediatric patients. In the present study 74 steady state concentrations of amikacin were analyzed from 42 patients. Pharmacostatistical work was done by using NONMEM. The covariates evaluated in this study were age, body weight, height, and sex and creatinine clearance. The model found to best describe the data following FO method was: Clearance (CL) = θ1*(wt/14.2)*exp. (η1) and volume (V) = θ2*exp (η2) and following FOCE method was: Clearance (CL) = θ1*(age/5.38) + θ3*(wt/14.2)*exp.(η1) and volume(V) = θ2*exp(η2). The final model estimates of CL and V estimated by FO method were1.02 L/h and 4.55L respectively and by FOCE method were1.07L/hr and 4.91L respectively. These parameters are utilized for individualizing the loading and maintenance doses in pediatric patients.