Fosfomycin single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics in patients undergoing prolonged intermittent renal replacement therapy

Abstract Background Fosfomycin is used increasingly in the treatment of MDR bacteria. It is eliminated by renal excretion, but data regarding dosing recommendations for patients undergoing modern means of renal replacement therapies are scarce. Objectives Evaluation of the pharmacokinetics (PK) of fosfomycin in patients undergoing prolonged intermittent renal replacement therapy (PIRRT) to guide dosing recommendations. Methods Fosfomycin was given in 11 (7 female) patients with severe infections undergoing PIRRT. Plasma levels were measured at several timepoints on the first day of fosfomycin therapy, as well as 5–6 days into therapy, before and after the dialyser, to calculate its clearance. Fosfomycin was measured in the collected spent dialysate. Results The median (IQR) plasma dialyser clearance for fosfomycin was 183.4 (156.9–214.9) mL/min, eliminating a total amount of 8834 (4556–10 440) mg of fosfomycin, i.e. 73.9% (45.3%–93.5%) of the initial dose. During PIRRT, the fosfomycin half-life was 2.5 (2.2–3.4) h. Data from multiple-dose PK showed an increase in fosfomycin Cmax from 266.8 (166.3–438.1) to 926.1 (446.8–1168.0) mg/L and AUC0–14 from 2540.5 (1815.2–3644.3) to 6714 (4060.6–10612.6) mg·h/L. Dialysis intensity during the study was 1.5 L/h. T>MIC was 100% in all patients. Conclusions Patients undergoing PIRRT experience significant fosfomycin elimination, requiring a dose of 5 g/8 h to reach adequate plasma levels. However, drug accumulation may occur, depending on dialysis frequency and intensity.