Influence of Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis on Elimination of Drugs

Renal failure delays elimination of many drugs thus prolonging their half lives. By knowing the half life and distribution volume, one can estimate total plasma clearance. When measured values have not been reported, endogenous total plasma clearance can be estimated and compared with peritoneal clearance to determine the effect of CAPD on half life. When peritoneal clearance has not been reported, it can be estimated knowing molecular mass and unbound plasma fraction. Such estimates suggest that elimination kinetics of most drugs are not appreciably affected by CAPD. Compared to those of untreated anuric patients, plasma levels of carbenicillin, ticarcillin, some cephalosporins, all aminoglycosides, vancomycin, sfluorocytosine, amantadine, atenolol, sotalol, timolol, chlorpropamide, theophylline and lithium may be reduced somewhat by CAPD. Thus one should monitor plasma levels of these agents to insure therapeutic concentrations rather than simply following the dosage guidelines for anuric patient.