Bioavailability of oral antibiotics in cystic fibrosis.

The present investigation was designed to assess the absorption and disposition in 
cystic fibrosis patients of two commonly used antibiotics: an aminopenicillin, epicillin, 
and a cephalexin, Ospexin. The pharmacokinetic parameters of epicillin in patients 
with CF and their normal controls differ in a number of 
aspects. The difference found in the maximal plasma concentrations could be 
accounted for by a manifold increase in the renal clearance of 
the drug. Our data support the idea that patients with CF 
exhibit an unusually large and rapid renal clearance of certain penicillins. 
