Pharmacokinetics of cefuroxime in pregnancy

Abstract

Most pharmacokinetic studies of antibodies in pregnancy have been carried out at the time of abortion or delivery. Whether such data represent pregnancy as such is not known. The present study compares the pharmacokinetic properties of cefuroxime in seven women during pregnancy, at delivery, and after delivery. After intravenous administration of 750 mg of cefuroxime, levels of the drug in plasma and urine were measured during a period of 8 hours. Levels of cefuroxime in cord plasma and amniotic fluid were registered, as were levels of plasma from the neonates at 6 and 12 hours. Plasma levels were significantly lower during pregnancy than afterward, drug half-life was significantly shorter, and clearance and recovery in urine were significantly higher. Differences, although less consistent, were observed in certain parameters at delivery, as compared to earlier in pregnancy, thus indicating that pharmacokinetic data obtained at delivery may not be typical of pregnancy as such. Passage of cefuroxime across the placenta was well demonstrable in all cases.