Pharmacokinetics of oral vs. intravenous dexamethasone in patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia

Aim

The use of corticosteroids as adjunctive therapy might be effective in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Oral administration of dexamethasone is a practical and safer alternative to the intravenous route. Since patients hospitalized with pneumonia might have delayed gastric emptying, this study explored systemic exposure in terms of area under the concentration–time curve (AUC) of oral dexamethasone in patients hospitalized with CAP.

Methods

In this randomized, open label study, 30 patients admitted with CAP were randomized to receive either 4 mg intravenous or 6 mg oral dexamethasone for 4 consecutive days. Serial blood samples were obtained before and after drug administration.

Results

Median AUC to infinity was 626 μg l⁻¹ h (IQR 401–1161) for the intravenous group and 774 μg l⁻¹ h (IQR 618–1146) for the oral group. The AUC ratio of 6 mg oral and 4 mg intravenous dexamethasone was 1.22 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.81, 1.82)_, which represents a bioavailability of 81% (95% CI 54, 121) after correction for differences in dexamethasone dose.

Conclusions

Bioavailability of oral dexamethasone in patients hospitalized with pneumonia is sufficient. This makes oral dexamethasone an appropriate alternative for intravenous administration in these patients.