Levofloxacin Pharmacokinetics in the Severely Obese

Although the pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin have been consistent in various study populations, obese and critically ill individuals are likely to demonstrate altered distribution and clearance of levofloxacin, in addition to potentially having altered serum concentrations. Thus, the following study proposes to address the question: What are the effects of the combination of critical illness and severe obesity on the pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin. The data from this investigation will also be combined with obese ambulatory volunteer data to more accurately define the effects of obesity on the pharmacokinetic parameters of levofloxacin.

There are no comparisons in this study. The specific aims are:

1. Characterize pharmacokinetic parameters of levofloxacin in obese critically ill individuals: Cmax, Tmax, area under the concentration-time curve (AUC), volume of distribution, elimination rate, serum half-life, and urine clearance.
2. Determine the percentage of patients that achieve an AUC/MIC ratio* of 88, which is achieved in 72% of non-obese, non-critically ill patients and is correlated with efficacy.

Hospitalized subjects will be identified by medical or pharmacy house staff officers providing care in the intensive care unit and through computerized medication profiles provided by UKCMC or UTMB Pharmacy Services. Once an investigator determines eligibility, a recommendation will be made to enroll the patient in the study to the attending physician.

After obtaining permission to enroll the subject, the investigator will obtain informed consent from the patient or his/her appropriate surrogate. The decision of competence will be made by the physician, in conjunction with family members, if available. Assessment of competence for providing informed consent will be documented in the medical record via the statement below: