Table 2. Mean (SD) values of the pharmacokinetic parameters of dexamethasone (n = 20 patients).

Pharmacokinetic parameters	Mean (SD)	Range	Abbreviation
Plasma data
Plasma clearance (L/ h)	13.2 (4.6)	4.5–22.0	DPC
Plasma half-life (h)	3.0 (1.1)	2.0–6.0	t1/2
Central volume of distribution (L)	51.7 (8.3)	38.6–70.0
Urinary data
Amount of 6β-OHdexamethasone*	12.9% (3.8%)	4.1–17.9%	T6β-OHD
Amount of dexamethasone†	3.6% (1.1%)	1.5–5.3%	UD
Metabolic ratio between T6β-OHD and	4.02 (1.50)	0.77–6.20	MR
unchanged dexamethasone

^*Percentage of the dose of dexamethasone excreted as 6β-hydroxydexamethasone in urine between 0 and 24 h.

^†Percentage of the dose of dexamethasone excreted unchanged in urine between 0 and 24 h.