PENICILLIN REGIMENS IN PEDIATRIC PRACTICE

[摘要] A study was made of the blood levels and the clearance rates of penicillin that follow different doses and routes of administration of penicillin, in normal children from 2 to 11½ years with normal kidney function.Following intramuscular injection of aqueous penicillin, optimal bactericidal levels ( cf .Eagle and Musselman) were obtained with a daily dose of 5000 u./lb. if given every three hours, or 10,000 u./lb. given every six to eight hours. If adequate doses of oral caronamide were added to the latter dosage scheme, the above levels could be obtained for 8 to 12 hours.Procaine penicillin of the large particle size (procaine penicillin A) used in this study, when given in doses of 6000 u./lb., provides optimal bactericidal levels for 24 hours or more in some instances. Furthermore, the same dosage scheme using preparations of a smaller particle size (procaine penicillin B), which did not sustain bactericidal levels for quite as long, resulted in successful therapy on clinical trial. Caronamide added by mouth does not increase the initial height of the blood levels appreciably, but does delay the plasma penicillin clearance rate.Oral penicillin is variable in its action. It appears to be more reliable if given in a buffered form and the addition of caronamide improves the levels obtained.The therapeutic application of these different regimens is discussed.

[学科分类] 儿科学