Pediatric study on the pharmacokinetics of minocycline

We administered minocycline (MINO) to children 4 to 14 years of age and examined its serum concentration and recovery in urine. 1. MINO tablets and granules: After the administration of 4 mg/kg in tablet form, the peak serum concentration ranged from 5.75 to 8.29 µg/ml. The corresponding figure for the granular form was 2.30 to 2.46 µg/ml. Cumulative urinary recovery between 0 and 12 hrs was 4.44% with tablets and 1.96 with granules. 2. MINO intravenous drip: After the initial administration of 4 mg/kg, the peak serum concentration ranged from 7.65 to 8.17 µg/ml, and cumulative urinary recovery between 0 and 12 hrs was 3.98%. Repeated drip of 1.5 mg/kg every 12 hrs thereafter resulted in a peak serum concentration of 6.41 to 7.28 µg/ml. These results showed that 4 mg/kg of MINO provided a safe, effective serum concentration in pediatric patients. A repeated intravenous drip of 1.5 mg/kg as the second and following doses was found to yield an effective peak and showed no accumulation.