PERSISTENCE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN BLOOD OF PATIENTS WITH ACUTE RENAL FAILURE. II. CHLORAMPHENICOL AND ITS METABOLIC PRODUCTS IN THE BLOOD OF PATIENTS WITH SEVERE RENAL DISEASE OR HEPATIC CIRRHOSIS*†

Abstract

The serum half-life of active chloramphenicol is not prolonged in anuric patients; on the other hand, the half-life of chloramphenicol metabolic products is markedly extended in patients with severe renal disease. Small amounts of aryl amine derivatives may accumulate slowly in the blood of uremic patients receiving chloramphenicol. Some patients with cirrhosis of the liver have a prolongation of the serum half-life of active chloramphenicol. This is due to a slower rate of glucuronide conjugation in these patients. Aryl nitro compounds of chloramphenicol were extracted by the artificial kidney about one-half as well as creatinine.