title: Pharmacokinetic monitoring of nephrotoxic antibiotics in surgical intensive care patients.
abstract: An assessment of the dosage regimens prescribed for potentially nephrotoxic antibiotics (amikacin, gentamicin, tobramycin, and vancomycin) was undertaken on surgical intensive care unit patients. In 166 patients, 224 series of blood antibiotic level determinations were obtained. Using individualized pharmacokinetic determinations, the regimens were revised as necessary to provide optimal blood levels. Because of variable volumes of distribution and elimination rates, dosing according to standard clinical guidelines produced significantly lower peaks than did pharmacokinetically determined regimens for gentamicin (p less than 0.005), tobramycin (p less than 0.0001), and vancomycin (p less than 0.05). Importantly, fewer patients achieved therapeutic levels with the original regimens than with the revised regimens for gentamicin (9% vs. 91%, p less than 0.0005), tobramycin (27% vs. 92%, p less than 0.0001), and vancomycin (30% vs. 69%, p less than 0.0001). Individualized pharmacokinetic analysis of potentially nephrotoxic antibiotics in critically ill patients is essential if therapeutic, non-toxic levels are to be maintained.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical School, Houston 77030.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Miller-Crotchett
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crotchett
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Fischer
mesh_terms: D000583:Amikacin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000379:methods*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D014031:Tobramycin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D005839:Gentamicins; D014640:Vancomycin; D000583:Amikacin; D003404:Creatinine; D014031:Tobramycin