THE PHARMACOKINETICS OF FLUCONAZOLE DURING HEMODIALYSIS IN UREMIC PATIENTS

We have studied the pharmacokinetics of fluconazole in five patients on long-term haemodialysis. The single-pass extraction rate of the dialyzer was 59 (3.5)% (n = 4), and the serum concentration was reduced by haemodialysis for 3 or 4 h by 26 (3.2)% (n = 5) and 39 (2.2)% (n = 9) respectively. The estimated amount extracted by a dialysis of 4 h was 33 (3.2)% (n = 4) of the dose. During repeated administration the serum fluconazole concentration increased, reaching a plateau at about 4 times the peak concentration after the first dose. After discontinuing administration the serum fluconazole concentration fell by 25% in every 3 h dialysis session. We conclude that fluconazole should be given in the usual dose of 100 or 200 mg at the end of every haemodialysis session.