Effect of short-term treatment with pivalic acid containing antibiotics on serum carnitine concentration--a risk irrespective of age.

• Treatment with pivalic acid containing prodrugs has been shown to cause carnitine depletion by loss of pivaloyl carnitine in urine. A 7-day standard pivmecillinam treatment of adults lead to a marked decrease of the free serum carnitine concentration (44.6 to 12.9 mumol/liter), whereas no change was seen in those given norfloxacine (40.0 to 40.5 mumol/liter). In some patients irrespective of age the free serum carnitine concentration was decreased to levels (around 10 mumol/liter) at which an impaired ketone-body production may occur. Therefore, there is reason for cautious use of this type of drug irrespective of the age of the patients.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Adolescent

Adult

Age Factors

Aged

Amdinocillin Pivoxil

administration & dosage

adverse effects

Carnitine

blood

deficiency

Female

Humans

Male

Middle Aged

Norfloxacin

administration & dosage

Penicillins

administration & dosage

adverse effects

Pentanoic Acids

administration & dosage

adverse effects

Prodrugs

administration & dosage

adverse effects

Risk Factors

Time Factors

Urinary Tract Infections

drug therapy

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)