Rev Esp Quimioter 2013:26(4):346-352

Influence of ethnicity on the pharmacokinetics of amikacin 

MELISA BARRANTES-GONZÁLEZ, SANTIAGO GRAU, DAVID CONDE-ESTÉVEZ, ESTHER SALAS, MÓNICA MARÍN-CASINO             

Objective. Despite the increasing ethnic diversity, there are few studies of its influence on the pharmacokinetics of amikacin. The objective of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics of amikacin in different populations: Asian, Hispanic, North Africans and Caucasian.
Methods. A retrospective observational study was performed in a tertiary teaching hospital during eight years. It was included all patients with intravenous amikacin treatment in extended interval dosing regimen with therapeutic drug monitoring of amikacin. Pharmacokinetic parameters were analysed. A bivariate and multiple linear regression statistical analysis were carried out.
Results. 164 patients were included: 7 asians, 135 Caucasians, 11 Hispanics and 11 from North Africa. It was shown a lower plasma concentrations of amikacin in North Africa population due to its greater clearance.
Conclusions. Amikacin plasma concentrations monitoring is advisable in patients from North Africa in order to avoid subtherapeutic concentrations.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2013:26(4):346-352 [pdf]