Table 2.

Time required to reach steady-state (t_ss) AS A function of the glomerular filtration rate estimated by MDRD clearance (ml min⁻¹) in the sub-populations defined by their mechanical ventilation status (without = I0 or with = I1) and their reason for admission (P0 = polytrauma, P1 = post surgery and P2 = medical reason) after discontinuous administration of 2 g × 3 day⁻¹ and a 2 g loading dose followed by 6 g day⁻¹ continuous infusion

	2 g × 3 day−1				2 g loading dose + 6 g infusion
	MDRD (ml min−1)	tss (h)	MDRD (ml min−1)	tss (h)	MDRD (ml min−1)	tss (h)	MDRD (ml min−1)	tss (h)
I0P0	≤60	72 h	>60	48 h	≤120	48 h	>120	24 h
I0P1	≤140	48 h	>140	24 h	≤30	48 h	>30	24 h
I0P2	≤70	48 h	>70	24 h	–	–	≥10	24 h
I1P0	≤50	72 h	>50	48 h	≤90	48 h	>90	24 h
I1P1	≤100	48 h	>100	24 h	–	–	≥10	24 h
I1P2	≤20	48 h	>20	24 h	–	–	≥10	24 h