Pharmacokinetic study of human natural β-interferon in patients with end-stage renal failure

Aims: Although human natural beta -interferon (beta -IFN) is currently used in the treatment of a number diseases, there have been no published studies of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of beta -IFN in patients with end-stage renal failure. Materials: Five maintenance hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C (4 men and 1 woman) were enrolled in this study. Methods: For the pharmacokinetic study, blood samples were obtained from a forearm vein at intervals, before infusion and 0, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 minutes after a 15-minute intravenous infusion of human natural beta -IFN (Feron, Toray Industries, Inc., Tokyo) at a dose of 600 MIU. Results: Intravenous beta -IFN was administrated safely to all five patients. The plasma half-life of beta -IFN was found to be 6.91 +/-2.80 (mean SD) minutes. The initial volume of distribution was found to be 0.49 +/-0.02 l/kg. Conclusion: A 15-minute intravenous infusion of human natural beta -IFN was safely administered to the hemodialysis patients. This pharmacokinetic study showed that it is not necessary to reduce the dosage in patients with end-stage renal failure.