Absorption and urinary excretion of clindamycin palmitate in the elderly

Summary

Clindamycin palmitate hydrochloride is a water-soluble salt which in vivo undergoes hydrolysis into the active base. Following a single-dose administration of either 150 or 300mg. of the drug to elderly patients, serial blood sample estimations revealed that satisfactory therapeutic plasma levels were achieved and maintained in all patients with peak levels usually occurring at 2 hours and with a serum half-life of over 4 hours. The rate of urinary excretion was variable but, irrespective of dose, about 7% of the drug was recoverable from the urine in an active form during the following 24 hours. This study shows that clindamycin palmitate in suspension form provides an effective method of administering the antibiotic to elderly patients who may find difficulty in swallowing clindamycin in capsule form and suggests that 150 mg. every 8 hours comprises effective treatment.

Key words: :

• Clindamycin
• dosage forms
• aged