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Features of the distribution, metabolism, elimination, and pharmacokinetics of the cephalosporins and cefoxitin must be considered when concentrations of these drugs in biological fluids are interpreted. The extensive (approximately 86%) binding of cefazolin to plasma protein may account for the smaller volume of distribution and slower rate of renal clearance than are observed for cefoxitin, which is less extensively (73%) bound to protein. Results of microbiological assays of drug in urine may be influenced by the extent of metabolism of the drugs, which is 33% for cephalothin but less than 2% for cefoxitin. Elimination of cephalosporins and cefoxitin occurs by both glomerular filtration and tubular secretion and can be inhibited by the concurrent administration of probenecid. The pharmacokinetics of cefoxitin may be described by a linear, two-compartment, open model that has been used to predict levels of drug achieved in serum and urine after various dose regimens, including administration by intravenous bolus or infusion. The bioavailability of intramuscularly administered cefoxitin is equivalent to that of intravenously administered cefoxitin and is 90% complete within 3-4 hr after the dose is given.

To characterize the effect of orally administered probenecid on the pharmacokinetics of cefoxitin in healthy male volunteers, we administered to one group of six subjects 2 g of cefoxitin by intravenous (i.v.) bolus either alone, with 1 g of probenecid concomitantly, or when 1 g of probenecid was administered 1 h previously by using a crossover design. Likewise, we administered to a second group of six subjects 2 g of cefoxitin intramuscularly (i.m.) together with 1 and 2 g of probenecid. Probenecid increased the mean terminal half-life and the area under the serum cefoxitin concentration-time curve (AUC0-24) and decreased renal clearance, but did not alter the volume of the central compartment or the total urinary recovery of i.v.-administered cefoxitin; pretreatment with probenecid produced a greater increase in cefoxitin AUC0-24 and a constant decrease in renal clearance compared to concomitant probenecid. The AUC0-24 after i.m.-administered cefoxitin was greater after 2 g than 1 g of probenecid; the AUC0-24 after i.v.-and i.m.-administered cefoxitin was similar after 1 g of probenecid was given concomitantly. Cefoxitin AUC0-24 was increased further when 1 g of probenecid was given before i.v.-administered cefoxitin or when 2 g of probenecid was given with i.m.-administered cefoxitin. The effect of probenecid was related to both timing and dose.